– Archive – Weekly 2025

Infant Baptism of Abigail Lim Xin Ning

Thank God for the gift of a baby girl Abigail Lim Xin Ning to Zhuo Yan and Grace on 24 November 2025. Zhuo Yan and Grace brings baby Abigail for infant baptism today. May the Lord strengthen Zhuo Yan and Grace to bring up Abigail in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Their older child Anna Lim Zhen Ning was baptised on 31 December 2023. All praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Baptism of Dennis Tan Keng Huat

Thank God for the baptism of Dennis Tan Keng Huat on 22 December 2025 at the hospital. Dennis affirmed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ on 19 December 2025. He suffered from lung cancer that has spread to the brain and has been undergoing treatment since August 2024. 

Dennis attended worship service with his wife Elaine and daughter Chantel on 4 August 2024 shortly after he started his first treatment. Subsequently, he was too weak to come for worship in person. Foundation Bible Class notes were given to him to prepare for baptism. Recordings of the Foundation Bible Classes and Westminster Catechism were also sent to him. He joined us for worship online and the church has been praying for him since. 

The Lord took Dennis home in the early hour on 23 December 2025. Vigil Services were held at the wake in their home on 23, 24, 25 and 26 December with opportunities to share the gospel with their loved ones and friends. Dennis was buried at the Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery on 27 December 2025. Thank God for granting good weather for the burial service. Thank God for His salvation grace for Dennis. Pray for God’s comfort and grace for Dennis’ wife Elaine and two daughters, Chantal and Brittany. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Christ the Bridegroom

Luke 5:33-39 (KJV) And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? 34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. 36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

Christ identified Himself as the Bridegroom and His church, the bride. Christ described His earthly ministry as a time when, He, the Bridegroom, is with the bride. As in a wedding banquet, there is much joy and feasting. This was the reason our Lord gave when He was asked why His disciples did not fast. The tradition for the Pharisees was to fast on Monday and Thursday of each week. The disciples of John the Baptizer also fast and pray often.   

Fasting is a laying aside of common necessity and pleasure so that more time, concentration of effort, and undivided attention may be given to prayer, worship, and the study of God’s Word. There are divine blessings from fasting. Daniel fasted that he may obtain wisdom to understanding God’s will for His people, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes”(Dan 9:3). It is an earnest and sincere humbling of self to let God be pre-eminent in our hearts.

Christ is saying that there is in the believer’s spiritual life a time for prayer and fasting. It shall be so when He is no longer with them (v35), alluding to His crucifixion and ascension to heaven, when He will no longer be with His disciples and persecution comes. While He is with them, there is salvation and healing wrought through His ministry. It is a time for rejoicing! 

In rebuking the Pharisees, He taught the true spirit of fasting in Matthew 6:16-18 (KJV) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Christ further explained concerning the kingdom of God that has been inaugurated at His coming. It is likened to a new garment. It is incompatible with the old garment traditions of the Pharisees – No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old (v36). He rebuked their traditions!

It is also likened to putting new wine in new wine bottles. These wine bottles are made from sheep skin or goat skin. The new wine bottles, allow new wine to be fermented with time and it won’t break because it is able to stretch. However, old wine bottles filled with new wine will break because the old bottles are stiff and already well stretched. The new wine, once it ferments, emits gas that will force the bottle to expand. Old bottles will thus break and give way due to the pressure created from the fermentation process. Christ’s kingdom, is likened to new wine that needs new bottles. Putting new wine, Christ’s teachings, in the old bottles of Jewish traditions, will not do. They are incompatible. Just as the born-again believer leaves his old ways to follow Christ, so the Pharisees, must leave their self-righteous traditions to follow the true spirit of God’s laws as Christ delineated in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49). 

Christ, the Bridegroom, brings forth His church, that is, His bride, through the preaching of the gospel and the teaching of the whole counsel of God. The believer is sanctified in his life time, awaiting glorification, when Christ, the Bridegroom, will return to bring His church to glory (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:1-57).

This is the mystery that the Apostle Paul explained which Christ has inaugurated at His First Coming that will culminate at His Second Coming, the new wine that require new wine bottles –  1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (KJV) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

The old in v39 refers to the old paths, leading us back to the LORD who created the heavens and the earth and man the climax of His created in His image, wherein is the good way “and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jer. 6:16a). Amen.

Old Paths Conference 2025

Thank God for gathering His people for the Old Paths Conference 2025 from 10 to 12 December. The theme of the Conference is “Reclaiming Today the Strength of the English Reformation”. 

Reclaiming the Four Pillars of the English Reformation sums up the strength of the English Reformation:

• The Reformation Bible – The Unadulterated Word of God to be in the hands of the church and holding it forth to the world – The King James Bible (1611), the only Bible with no copyright and the best-selling book in the English Language. (Philippians 2:16; Psalm 119:9-11)
• The Music of the Reformation – Music is Next to Theology – The Hymnal provides Sound Theology Melodised, the Revival Hymns and Choruses. (Colossians 3:16)
• The Catechism of Families – The Westminster Confession of Faith (1643-48) with The Large and Shorter Catechisms – The Creed, or Rule of Faith or Symbol is a confession of faith for public use, or a form of words setting forth with authority articles of belief, which are regarded by the framers as necessary for salvation, or at least for the well-being of the Christian Church. (Romans 10:9-10)
• The exposition of God’s Word by godly men for the spiritual deepening of the faith of the church – The Westminster Annotations – Puritan Literature. Distribution of Westminster Annotations (2) Job – Malachi. (John 5:39, Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27)

Reclaiming the Strength Today! The Fruit: (a) Establishing of the Covenant Family (b) Establishing of the New Testament Local Church – Fulfilling the Great Commission – Eternal Life and Reward – Glorious Heavenly Mansion.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Power to Forgive Sins

Luke 5:17-26 (KJV) And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

There man stricken with palsy. He was a helpless paralysed man. For when one loses his mobility, life seemed to have come to a stand-still. He is dependent upon others to help him. This man had friends who love him and wanted to really help him. They knew that of the power of the Lord to heal and so brought him to see Jesus. However, though Jesus was near, yet his ailing friend could not come near to him because of the multitude.  

By an extraordinary means, they carried him to the roof top of the house on a stretcher and opening a substantial hole in the roof, they were able to slowly lower him from the roof into the house where Jesus was. His friends were very determined to help him. They spared no effort to help their friend in need. These were true friends indeed!

Jesus was their greatest Friend. Jesus healed the man physically and healed him spiritually. By the command to the paralytic man – “Arise and walk”. His legs gained strength and he was able to walk again. More importantly, Jesus healed his diseased soul that was stricken with sin. Through Jesus, the man’s sins were forgiven. 

The scribes and Pharisees questioned and were in doubt as to how Jesus could forgive a man’s sin. It was the prophet Isaiah who answers this question how Jesus could forgive sins – Isaiah 53:4-6 (KJV) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Also, Isaiah 53:10-11 (KJV) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Isaiah revealed that Jesus would come upon earth to become man’s sin-bearer when He was finally crucified on the cross at Calvary to bear the penalty for man’s sin. He was fully man to represent man and was fully God to be the mediator between God and man – 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 

Jesus is God’s appointed Mediator between God and man. Only Jesus qualifies and has the power to forgive sins as the God-Man. He made atonement for man’s sin by His personal sacrifice of His life on our behalf to pay the penalty for our sins that we cannot pay. Jesus was sinless man, He was that unblemished Lamb that will be slain to take away man’s sin. All who repent of their sins and accept His sacrifice on their behalf shall have their sins forgiven. They are to go and sin no more! So must we. Come to Jesus that you may be cleansed of all your sins by His precious blood that was shed for the forgiveness, or disannulling of your sins. Amen. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The Old Paths Conference 2025 (10^th – 11^th December, Daily 9.30am – 9.00pm)

The theme of this year’s Old Paths Conference is “Reclaiming Today the Strength of the English Reformation”. It begs the question “What is the strength?” The LORD is the strength of His people – Psalm 119:57 (KJV) CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

When individuals embrace the LORD and follow hard after Him, there is an immeasurable strength that comes with it – Psalm 63:8 (KJV) My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

These individuals influence families, churches, nation and the spiritual strength extends to nations through the preaching of the gospel. When a nation embraces the living and true God in the political realm, there is hope for that nation. The laws of God teach its people righteous ways which translates ultimately to God’s favour – Proverbs 14:34 (KJV) Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. 

England was just an island state. Yet when the nation embraces the living and true God, that island was blessed with the extension of its dominion in the largest empire on earth known in human history. England extended her dominion to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Nigeria, just to name a few. A total of 56 countries around the world was a part of the British Commonwealth. There was direct rule by the British in most of these nations. 

It is from the British that the law forbidding same sex sexual relationships is codified under section 377A of the Singapore law. Of course, it can be further traced to Roman law from which the British inherited. The greatest contributions to Western civilisation was the clarification and transmission of Roman law in the Byzantine Empire where Constantinople was its capital for a thousand years from 330 A.D. to 1453 A.D. The Byzantine Empire or the Eastern Roman Empire embraced the living and true God of the Bible. [Time Life Encyclopaedia, Great Ages of Man Series – Byzantium]

In England, John Wycliffe (1330 A.D. to 31 December 1384 A.D.), called the Morning Star of the Reformation, translated the Bible into the English language for the first time from the Latin Vulgate, the Latin version of the Holy Bible, between late 1370 – 1395 A.D. He trained “poor preachers” to preach the gospel throughout the towns and cities of England, commonly called the Lollands by Wycliffe’s enemies. Wycliffe renounced the false teaching of Rome and sought to re-establish the pure, undiluted gospel. “Yet he discovered as time passed, that reformation could not be brought about in one year, or in ten; it required long effort and much patience.” [Sketches from Church History] 

An interest in ancient Greek literature began to show itself during the period of the Renaissance (14^th – 17^th century A.D.), for in 1453 the Ottoman Turks had captured Constantinople, and scholars fled westwards taking valuable manuscripts with them. Most significantly, the ancient Greek Text of the New Testament for the translation to be made later by William Tyndale who was martyred on 6 October 1536 when he was condemned for heresy for translating the Bible into English from the original Hebrew and Greek.

From England, came the King James Bible (1611), the best translation of the Bible in the English language versus corrupt modern versions. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1643-1648) [which we have spent the past year studying the Shorter and Larger Catechism] and Westminster Annotations which are footnotes of the Bible, [which we are reprinting for the first time since the original printing 400 years ago in three volumes – Genesis – Esther (Vol. 1) in 2024, Job – Malachi (Vol. 2) in 2025 to be distributed during this year’s Conference, and The New Testament, God willing, in 2026], voluminous Christian literature, at its best, during the period of the Puritans.

Luke 5:12-16 (KJV) And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

The healing ministry of Christ attested to His Deity, that Jesus is God. He has the power to heal serious ailment like the disease of leprosy. That power of Christ to heal human diseases draws us to understand the deeper problem that plague mankind. It is the disease of human. The prophet Isaiah pronounced this heinous spiritual nature of sin in Israel likened to the physical disease of leprosy when he said in Isaiah 1:6 (KJV) From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

The leprous man came to Jesus and was gloriously healed as the prophet Isaiah well said in Isaiah 45:22 (KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Truly, when Jesus touched the man, he was healed – Psalm 33:9 (KJV) For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

In the Old Testament, there was the leper Naaman, the Syrian general, whom Elisha healed, attested to the power and will of God – 2 Kings 5:10 (KJV) And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean…. 2 Kings 5:14 (KJV) Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Jesus explained in Luke 4:27 that Elisha did not heal other lepers in Israel but this Gentile general to manifest His glory. Namaan submitted to the LORD by obeying Elisha’s command to wash in the Jordan. Even the yielding of the heart to God is for His glory – Ezekiel 36:26-27 (KJV) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Jesus demonstrated the compassionate heart of God to save sinners – Ezekiel 18:32 (KJV) For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

What was starkly clear was that this man came to Jesus and was gloriously healed, he found rest for His soul – Matthew 11:28 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jesus retreated to a quiet place to commune with the Father. That communion was the heavenly link for strength and refreshing that attested to His humanity for our emulation. Amen.

Launch Out Into the Deep

Luke 5:1-11 (KJV) And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught (a hunting, a catch). 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Christ’s earthly ministry was but a short span of 3½ years. His focus in preaching gospel of the kingdom of God was to usher lost souls into God’s kingdom. Outside God’s kingdom is a fear awaiting of eternal judgment – Revelation 21:8 (KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Christ’s ministry will culminate in His crucifixion where He would break the bondage of sin and death, the stronghold of the devil, upon fallen men – Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

After His ascension to heaven, Christ will inaugurate the church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) towards the ultimate ushering in of His kingdom on earth at His Second Coming. His disciples will be filled with the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel to the saving of souls – Acts 1:8 (KJV) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Our text records the preparation phase for the launching of the gospel mission work from Israel to all the world. “Launch Out Into the Deep” was the command of our Lord to His disciples, who were fishermen, to bring their boats out to sea and cast their net into the depths of the sea. As fishermen, their livelihood depends upon getting a good catch each time they went out to sea. Our Lord was teaching them dependence upon Him for their livelihood. He has the power to sustain them as they lay down their nets to be trained by Christ Himself to win souls – “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men,” (v10b).

I have decided to follow Jesus (3x)

No turning back, no turning back.

Though no one join me, still I will follow (3x)

No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me (3x)

No turning back, no turning back.

As experienced fishermen, it was surprising they caught nothing though they spent the whole night out at sea. Nevertheless, at the word (ῥῆμα – rhema) of Jesus, they launch out to sea again and caught a whole net full. The fishes, at the command of Christ swam, into the net. Jesus, truly, is God! Peter fell at Jesus’ knees in acknowledging his sinfulness and need of Christ to save him. He was gloriously saved and he consecrated his life, with the other disciples, to serve the Lord that day – they forsook all, and followed him (v11b). Glory to God in the highest! 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Ministering with Authority and Power

Luke 4:31-44 (KJV) And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. 32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. 35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. 36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. 37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about. 38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. 39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. 41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. 43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. 44 And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

The earthly ministry of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ provided His disciples a living example of God’s grace and power in action to fulfil His redemptive purpose in the salvation of souls and the strengthening of the faith of the saints. Jesus was rejected at Nazareth by his kinsfolk, it did not deter Him to continue His ministry in the other cities of Israel. With authority and power, Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to come out a gravely tormented man (v36). The devil said, “Let us alone” which literally is an exclamation of surprise or displeasure and even fear and dread, “ah! ha!”. His dreadful work of evil in tormenting the man is stopped short! The devil left the man and he was completely healed. The devils themselves acknowledged the truth concerning the identity of Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of God (41). The spirits of darkness were rebuked by Jesus. They had no power to resist Him but to obey His command to leave the body of the demon possessed men (v36, 42).

These demonic forces stand in opposition to God as the Apostle Paul pointed out that the church is in spiritual warfare requiring to put on the whole armour of God – Ephesians 6:10-13 (KJV)  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Jesus confronted and overcame the forces of Satan. The demons cringed in fear at Jesus’ authority and power to destroy them! 

Truly, the man who was delivered by Christ has henceforth the presence of Christ to defend and protect them – 1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Also, James 4:7b (KJV) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

He also healed Simon Peter’s wife’s mother of a great fever. She was immediately healed when Jesus rebuked the fever and ministered to Him and her family. What a blessing it is to have Jesus. He healed where no physicians could because life comes from Him (John 1:3) and sustenance of life (John 1:4) is through Him. He is indeed our compassion Saviour!

He had power over satanic forces and physical infirmities. Jesus demonstrated this in His earthly ministry. Jesus is not only Creator, Sustainer but Saviour! His primary ministry was to preach the gospel to save the lost! More than restoring physical life, Jesus gives eternal life! This is the primary focus of the Great Commission that Christ entrusted to His followers. This was God’s way to save souls and Jesus showed this clearly in His ministry in preaching the gospel which He called “the gospel of the kingdom”. Let the gospel be preached in season, out of season so that men may be rescued from the bondage of sin to live in holiness, peace and joy!

While Jesus went about the work of the ministry, He also set time aside and be apart to pray and have communion with the Father in heaven. This was the manifestation of His humanity, though He is God, setting for His disciples an example.

The 7am Service

Thank God for His grace in assembling His people for 60 sessions of “The 7am Service” from February – April 2025 and July – October 2025. We studied the books of Joshua, Judges and Philippians in the first half of the year and the books of the 12 Minor Prophets and James for the second half of the year. The Old Testament books by Mr Lucas Lek and the New Testament book by Pastor Lek. Last year, from July – November 2024, there were 108 sessions, we studied Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and the gospel of John with the Old Testament books by Mr Lucas Lek and the New Testament book by Pastor Lek. A total of 168 sessions. Praise God for His great grace.

All services were recorded and are available in the church’s Sermon Audio, YouTube and Facebook channels. Do avail yourself to them if you have missed these services.

Blessed Hope Church App

The Blessed Hope App is available for both iPhone (App Store) and Android (Play Store) devices. Downland of the app can be made under “Blessed Hope Church” with Devotions, Weekly, Sermons, Hymnal, Commentaries, Biographies & Bible. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The Reformation – A Spiritual Standard Uplifted

Isaiah 59:15-20 (KJV) Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. 18 According to theirdeeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. 19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 

When man fell into sin and evil men pervades and evil overrun the earth, the truth of God is suppressed, and the people of God are oppressed. But God is still on the throne reigning triumphantly over His creation. When godly men are assaulted and God’s truth seemed to have been snuffed out, God Himself, moves to defend and vindicate His truth and His servants. This is well-attested in this passage of Isaiah for the comfort and strengthening of the faith of His people throughout the ages – When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19b).

God made coats of skin, and clothed them (Gen. 3:21) pre-figuring the redemption of Christ. This was so after Adam and Eve fell, they represented the only hope for mankind. When evil pervades the earth, God’s grace was upon Noah, who was instructed to construct an ark to save his family and the animals from the judgment of the global flood upon evil men (Gen. 6-9). When the whole world came together in rebellion against God at the tower of Babel, God confounded the language of all the earth, preserving the descendants of Shem, Peleg, who did not participate in the rebellion. Peleg was the ancestor of Abraham, whom God called, who models true faith, travelling to an unknown land according to God’s leading, to invite all mankind back to Him. Through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, the nation of Israel was raised as the witness of God to all the nations of the world. When the nation of Israel defected and rebelled against God, out of the nation of Israel will come forth the Redeemer, who shall come to Zion (Jerusalem), and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob (Isaiah 59:20). Through the remnant of Christ’s disciples will begin the New Testament church and His promise of sending the Holy Spirit after His ascension to heaven, inaugurating the church age and energizing the plan to reach Jews and Gentiles by the preaching of the gospel of God (Rom. 1:1). The Roman Empire is the last human empire upon earth that will be destroyed by Christ at His Second Coming – Daniel 7:27 (KJV) And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Also, Daniel 2:44 (KJV) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 

The Roman Empire was split into two represented by the two legs of the figure (the Eastern and Western Roman Empire) that will culminate in the ten kings depicted by the ten toes that Daniel saw in His vision in Daniel 2:41 or ten horns in Daniel 7:7 & 24. 

The 16^th century Protestant Reformation is the scene of transition when the strength of the Christian faith in the Eastern Roman Empire commonly called the Byzantine Empire that spans the 4^th century (11 May A.D. 330) to the 15^th century (29 May 1453) centred in Constantinople wanes with the conquest by the Turks and the awakening and revival of true Christian faith in Western Roman Empire coming out of the Roman Catholic Church in the Dark Ages of a thousand years. On 31 October, 1517, Martin Luther, the German Augustinian monk, nailed 95 theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, igniting the Reformation, the greatest revival of the church since Pentecost (Acts 2). It is 508 years since that pivotal event, that is the foundational strength of the modern world through the preaching of the gospel by the unction of the Holy Spirit, that saved souls from Europe to America to Asia. The sanctifying and restraining work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11) will certainly persevere till Christ comes to receive His church to glory. Amen. 

Christ’s Inaugural Message

Luke 4:14-22 (KJV) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel (1) to the poor; he hath sent me (2) to heal the brokenhearted, (3) to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, (4) to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 (5) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

Christ, “the Anointed One”, is anointed to preach (v18a) by the Spirit of the Lord, beginning His earthly ministry. Christ was baptised at the Jordan where the Spirit of God descended from heaven upon Him [Luke 3:22 (KJV) And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.] and God the Father affirming His Son whom Luke traced to be truly the son of Adam and the Son of God. It was from the lineage of Mary to whom Christ was traced to the kingly line of David through another son Nathan (Luke 3:31). This was followed by His victory over the devil who tempted Him in the wilderness at His weakest after being enhungered 40 days. For His people’s sake, Christ overcame the devil. Christ is able to bring deliverance and comfort to those tempted by the devil – Hebrews 2:18 (KJV) For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Having defeated the devil at the onset of His ministry, Christ will begin His triumphant ministry to save souls in total bondage to sin and the chain of the evil one! Christ’s primary emphasis of ministry was the preaching of the gospel (v18a). Christ would read the appointed text and give instruction that day inaugurating His ministry. The Apostle Paul attested to the primary focus of preaching the gospel to save souls when he testified in Romans 1:16 (KJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Christ preached in the synagogues of the Jews beginning in Nazareth where he had been brought up fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 61:1-2 (KJV) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me (1) to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me (2) to bind up the brokenhearted, (3) to proclaim liberty to the captives, and (4) the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 (5) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. 

God will prepare the hearts of the hearers to receive His Word. These are described as “the poor” by Christ and “the meek” by Isaiah referring to those who realize their spiritual poverty and humbly respond to the preaching of the gospel, repenting of their sins and turning to Christ for salvation through the mighty working of the Holy Spirit. The “broken-hearted” literally means “crushed or smashed” alluding to mental and emotional states deprive of strength, break down, of persons bruised, mistreated, beaten severely. Christ came to console the broken hearted (Luke 2:25). “Captives” speaks of those in total bondage to sin and Satan, needing to be freed from their captivity and servitude! The word “bruised” literally means break in pieces, as pottery; figuratively and passive, of persons broken in spirit by oppression be downtrodden, be overwhelmed with trouble. This is a description of the world at large and those brought into the church. The “acceptable year of the Lord” is the year of Jubilee (Lev. 25), it is a time of restoration. The inauguration of Christ’s ministry is a time of restoration of God’s favour through Christ that continues with the church after His ascension to heaven culminating at His Second Coming (2 Cor. 6:2).

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Tempted By the Devil

Luke 4:1-13 (KJV) And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written (quoting Scripture – Memorizing Scripture), That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

A temptation is an enticement for the believer to disobey God’s will. Yielding to temptation is sin and brings with it grave consequences for the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). The first man Adam fell when he disobeyed God. The first man fell into sin when tempted by the devil and subsequently death came upon him and his posterity (Gen. 3). The second Adam, Jesus Christ, overcame and defeated the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness. Jesus gives man victory over sin and death when the believer comes and abide in Him – Romans 5:19 (KJV) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

James described well the mechanics of a temptation in James 1:14-15 (KJV) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. There are 7 verbs used (1) tempted – bring to attention a vice, (2) drawn away – turned away from God, (3) enticed – acceding to the deception, (4) conceived – from mental assent to action, (5) bringeth forth – sinful action, (6) it is finished – carrying through sin, (7) bringeth forth – results ultimately in death.

In a temptation there is a choice to be made by the believer between obeying God’s Word or obeying the voice of the tempter, the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4, Eph. 2:2). Because Christ was victorious over the temptation of the devil, we too can have victory through Him. The devil’s three temptation is well classified in 1 John 2:16 (KJV) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh [– ] (v3-4), and the lust of the eyes [– power] (v5-8), and the pride of life (v9-12) [- wanting to be equal with God and not subordinate to Him], is not of the Father, but is of the world.

When tempted, the believer can pray for God’s help to overcome every temptation (Matt. 6:13a) through Christ – Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

The way to overcome temptation, as Paul taught, is spiritual victory through prayer, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to the pulling down of the strongholds of false doctrines of this world that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (KJV) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the [Solution, Antidote, or Remedy] (1) pulling down of strong holds😉 5 (2) Casting down imaginations, and (3) every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, (4) and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Amen.                            

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Luke 3:23-24, 31-34 (KJV) And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,… 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the sonof Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, … 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

The baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptizer at the age of thirty marked the beginning of His ministry, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecy of the coming Christ, the Anointed One, the Saviour of the world. 

Luke traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ to Adam attesting to His true humanity. Adam was fearfully and wonderfully created by God from the dust of the ground. He is therefore the first son of God to which our Lord finds His human root. 

With the fall of Adam after he was beguiled by Satan, God showed the way back for fallen man in the fullness of time through Jesus, the Christ (with Luke tracing the fulfilment of that prophecy given immediately after man’s fall). 

Genesis 3:15 (KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Jesus is the seed of the woman that God will send that will deal Satan with a death blow when He comes as a man, the seed of a woman! Herein is the fulfilment! 

It is observed that Heli did not beget Joseph although it is written that Joseph was the son of Heli. In the original Greek text, the definite article (tou) in the genitive form (of the) is used for every of the name in the genealogy except Joseph’s signifying that Joseph was included only because of his marriage to Mary. Moreover, Luke has already affirmed the virgin birth in Luke 1:35 (KJV) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 

Joseph was in the genealogy not because he was Jesus’ biological father but adopted father, since he was the husband of Mary. Luke explained that with the phrase “(as was supposed)” in v23 to show that it was Mary’s genealogy. The list has 76 names including Jesus and Adam and excluding God. And tracing Jesus’ ancestry to David through another son of David, Nathan, to which Mary was traced, and thus Jesus is of the kingly line through Mary. This bypasses the curse upon Jeconiah (Jeremiah 22:30) through Joseph’s line. Marvellous providence to an impasse!

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Thou Art My Beloved Son

Luke 3:21-23 (KJV) Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 

Here is recorded the baptism of Jesus. John, at first, refused till Jesus gave the reason that He must needs be baptised by John – Matthew 3:13-15 (KJV) Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Jesus explained that it was “to fulfil all righteousness”. The commentator Barnes explained well, “There was no particular precept in the Old Testament requiring this, but He chose to give the sanction of His example to the baptism of John, as to a Divine ordinance. The phrase “all righteousness,” here, is the same as a righteous institution or appointment. Jesus had no sin. But He was about to enter on His great work. It was proper that He should be set apart by His forerunner, and show His connection with him, and give His approbation to what John had done. Also, He was baptized, that occasion might be taken, at the commencement of His work, for God publicly to declare His approbation of Him, and His solemn appointment to the office of Messiah.”

OUTLINE

• Heavenly Identity – Christ’s Humanity (v21-22a)
  • Baptism & Prayer – Blessings Outpoured
    • Inauguration of a Spirit-filled Messianic Ministry (cf. Acts 1:8)
• Identified From Heaven – Christ’s Deity (v22b-23)
  • The Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit Affirmed 
    • Divine Unction for the Saving of Souls

The prophecies of Isaiah concerning the coming of Messiah the Saviour of the world was fulfilled on the occasion of Christ’s baptism and the inauguration of His earthly ministry at the age of 30, the age where the priest in the Old Testament begin their work  for the Lord – Isaiah 11:2 (KJV) And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 

Isaiah 61:1 (KJV) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Psalm 2:7 (KJV) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Isaiah 42:1 (KJV) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Faith Preaching & Persecution

Luke 3:15-20 (KJV) And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. 18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

OUTLINE

• Exalting Christ (v15-17)
• Reproving Sin (v18-19)
• Sinner’s Rage (v20)

INTRODUCTION

As a man comes to the Lord Jesus Christ in contrition and confessions of sins and have his sins forgiven through the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19), he finds himself having a poverty of spirit and mourning for sin (Matt. 5:3-4). By the power of God, by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8), he is saved. He begins to seek God with a humility of heart and a subdued spirit towards others, there is a meekness in his transformed disposition (Matt. 5:5). There is a great hunger and thirst in the regenerated heart after righteousness and finding great satisfaction, fulfilment and restfulness in the new life with Christ. Life finds its bearing. God’s love fills his heart having obtained mercy from the Lord and finding the strength to forgive and help others in need (Matt. 5:7). A heart filled with God’s love that is shed abroad in his heart (Rom. 5:5), honouring the Lord in keeping His commandments, having a purity of heart through constant self-examination and confession of sins. Such a man is in constant communion with God (Matt. 5:8). Being filled with the Holy Spirit, his righteous life begins to impact other lives. He becomes a peacemaker, leading others to Christ (Matt. 5:9). In the process of doing so, he begins to suffer persecution because he is at enmity with the world (James 4:4). 

Jesus says to such a man to rejoice in the Lord, rest in Him for in the Lord is peace and overcoming – Matthew 5:10-12 (KJV) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  

He that is twice blessed will receive great reward from the Lord in heaven as he shines for Christ, serving as salt and light in a sin darkened world. He finds God’s grace to withstand the sinner’s rage as seen in John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Christ’s life who was cast into prison for reproving Herod, the ruling governor of his day for our learning. His life impacted all walks of life pointing men to Christ. 

Romans 14:17 (KJV)  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Preaching Without Apology

Luke 3:7-14 (KJV) Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

OUTLINE

• Against Hypocrisy
• Against Oppression
• Against Violence, Falsehood and Covetousness

INTRODUCTION

The rebuke of sin exposes sin for what it is, violations of the commandments of God. These violations brings great unrest, breaks the harmonious peace to the God intended fellowship between God and man and between man and his fellow man. What is the remedy as we see man reeling in misery as a result of sin pervading both in His church and in society at large?

God’s plan of the ages was to send His only begotten Son Jesus which means “Saviour”, the Christ (the Anointed One or Messiah in the Old Testament), to deal with man’s sin problem – Romans 5:17 (KJV) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Faith in Christ as our righteousness is the “gift of righteousness” spoken of in Romans 5:17 appropriated by the sinner – Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  

The way by which sinful man can be saved is through the preaching of the Word of God to expose their sin and to point the way of salvation to the guilty sinner to the Saviour Jesus Christ – Romans 10:14-15 (KJV) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

This was the life mission of John the Baptizer. John has come of age at 30 years of age (Luke 1:6 cf. 3:23) at the call of God to preach fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy as recorded in Isaiah 40:3-5 as Christ’s forerunner preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3).

Luke 3:4-6 (KJV) As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

John preached exposing the sins of the people warning of a wrath to come for the impenitent and it is possible for a man to be lost as well as to be saved. To be silent on the subject is dreadful treachery to men’s souls. [JC Ryle] – Luke 3:7 (KJV) Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

The preacher who cares for the souls of men will seek to honestly show them their danger. As Ryle well said, “Never will a man flee until there is real cause to be afraid.” To help a man see the heinous nature of sin and its dire consequence of judgment in hell fire so that he may repent and come to Christ for salvation by the convicting work of the Holy Spirit is the role of the preacher.

John’s courageous preaching will later land him in prison and subsequently beheaded from infuriated unrepentant sinners. He did not shrink to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [2 Timothy 4:2]

This was the lot of John, the forerunner of Christ who Himself, was crucified on the cross for the sins of men! 

“Lord Crucified” well written preacher’s prayer chorus, well applicable to all members of the church tasked to share Christ’s love to lost souls.

Lord crucified, give be a heart like Thine;

Teach me to love the dying souls of men;

And keep my heart in closest touch with Thee,

And give me love, pure Calvary’s love,

To bring the lost to thee.

The reformers John Hus (1369-1415) and William Tyndale (1494-1536) were burned at the stake for fearlessly exposing the sins of the church, the forerunners of the 16^th Century Protestant Reformation. 

• John Hus was a Czech priest influenced by John Wycliffe (1330-1384) who spoke out against church corruption and was executed. 
• William Tyndale was an English reformer who translated the New Testament into English from original Greek texts, a process for which he was charged with heresy and executed. 

Wycliffe knew that getting the words of Scripture into the language and hearts of the people would change lives and make them less vulnerable to unbiblical teachings and practices.

The Roman Church condemned Wycliff. After he died of a stroke in 1384, orders were given to exhume his body, burn his writings and his bones, and scatter his ashes in a nearby river. Evidently, the church thought they could erase the memory of John Wycliffe . . . but that was not to be. Through his work, the truth of God’s Word was planted like seeds.  As the seeds of truth grew, the groundwork was laid for the coming Great Reformation. [www.reasonsforhopeJesus.com]

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Eternal Life by Jesus Christ

Romans 5:21 (KJV) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Man on earth has accomplished much. He has reached the moon. He has broken the speed barrier of sound. He has broken the communication barrier by being able to communicate with a fellow man across the globe through video calls, seeing each other as it were face to face. But there is one thing he hasn’t been able to accomplish. That is to find a way to prevent death.

Why is death such a great disrupter? Because death permanently separates family members and friends when it strikes. There is no rewinding of time to bring back the deceased. The departed is locked in the memories of time in the mind of the living. 

King Solomon wisely said in Ecclesiastes 7:2 (KJV) It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 

Is there truly no solution to man’s death problem? There is! That is the purpose of our Gospel Rally, to show you from God’s Word the remedy that is encapsulated in the title of our message “Eternal Life by Jesus Christ.”

First of all, our text in Romans 5:21 tells us that death is the result of human sin when the Apostle Paul said “That as sin hath reigned unto death…”  

The word “reign” means “to rule over, control completely” speaking of the dominating quality of sin. [Friberg Lexicon]

How did this happen? Romans 5:12 tells us, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Death comes as a result of man’s sin, Romans 6:23 explains “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God iseternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Wages is received as payment for work done. Indulging in sin comes with the payment of death. Just to give us a quick flash of the remedy – the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who is this “one man” that sinned and died resulting in “death” to be the plight of all men? Verse 14 tells us that one man was “Adam” (Gen. 2:19), the man whom God made in His image out from the dust of the ground. Adam was the first man created and not birthed – Genesis 1:27 (KJV) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Also, Genesis 2:7 (KJV) And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Death is inescapable, death is a certainty, and there is a finality about death. [Lloyd-Jones]

In our passage, the numeral “one” occurs twelve times to help us to understand the truth that sin is passed from “one man” Adam resulting in the death of all his descendants – “through the offence of one many be dead” (v15).

Because Adam sinned, he died. By virtue of being Adam’s descendants, we too will have to die. Adam, being the first man, is the representative head or “federal head” through which the sin nature was transmitted to all man.

So is the remedy – by “the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (v18).

What does this mean? By one who did not sin, that is, “the righteousness of one”, who? Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, who entered human history at the pivotal point of human history, “B.C.” before Christ, and A.D. (Anno Domini, the year of the Lord), whose birth was marked by our calendar.

Jesus lived a life without sin obeying all the laws of God on man’s behalf. He was able to do so because Jesus is not only fully man but He is fully God in one Person. He is the sinless Son of God conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit – Luke 1:35 (KJV) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Jesus paid the penalty for man’s sin by being crucified on the Roman cross shedding His blood to wash away man’s sin – Romans 5:9 (KJV) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

The result of man’s sin is not just physical death but what the Bible calls the second death or eternal death, that is, eternal punishment in the lake of fire – Revelation 20:13-14 (KJV) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

So the curse and the remedy is given in Romans 5:18 (KJV) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment cameupon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

Death is always a part of the punishment of the guilt of sin. Hence, because of this one offence many died. But as death is something that follows as the result of guilt it is necessarily true that death is the just desert of all of us. If we are punished for sin it is obvious that we deserve it. An offence is always deserving of punishment because it involves guilt. And that is what happens to us all because of our relationship to Adam. When Adam sinned we all sinned – “for all have sinned” (v12). [Lloyd-Jones]

God’s plan to save sinful man is by giving to him “eternal life by Jesus Christ”. That is the title of our message which gives the way out for man!

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (v21).

Romans 5:17 (KJV) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

God’s remedy is to receive His “free gift” (v15) – But not as the offence, so also is the free gift.

For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which isby one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Romans 5:15 (KJV) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

Because of Adam’s trespass, many died; because of Christ’s obedience the grace of God abounds to many bringing life.  Note the “much more”; for the grace of Christ brings not only physical life but spiritual life and abundant life. Christ did conquer death and one day will raise the bodies of all who have died “in Christ”. If He stopped there, He would only reverse the effects of Adam’s sin; but He went on to do “much more.” He gives eternal life abundantly to all who trust Him (Jon 10:10). 

John 10:10 (KJV) … I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Adam’s sin brought judgment and condemnation; but Christ’s work on the cross brings justification. When Adam sinned, he was declared unrighteous and condemned. When a sinner trusts Christ, he is justified – declared righteous in Christ. [Wiersbe]

The chapter begins with justification by faith – Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

When a man realizes he is a sinner, therefore stands condemns, humbly comes to Jesus Christ to trust in His atoning sacrifice for his sins, confessing his sins, he is forgiven in Christ and accorded eternal life by faith in Christ’s perfect life lived on his behalf, Christ’s atoning death on the cross and Christ’s resurrection from the dead three days later, he is saved.

Romans 10:9-12 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

• Sin Causes Death
• Faith in Jesus Christ Brings Life Eternal

Jesus Christ is not only Saviour but Lord of his life. He has been translated by a new birth in Christ into God’s kingdom. He willingly surrenders himself to Christ who by His abounding grace enables him to overcome sin. Sin no longer has dominion over him. He can say “No” to sin, by the grace of God, overcome sin, living a holy and thus happy life. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Catechism the Home

Besides the public worship as a congregation, mercifully established, it is expedient and necessary that secret worship of each person alone, and private worship of families, be pressed and set up; that prayerfully lead to national reformation, the profession and power of godliness, both personal and domestic, be advanced.

How careful should ministers and parents be to train up young ones whilst they are yet pliable, and like wax, capable of any form and impression, in the knowledge and fear of God; and betimes to instil principles of our most holy faith, as they are drawn into a short sum in catechism, and so altogether laid in view of conscience! 

And first, for secret worship, it is most necessary, that every one apart, and by themselves, be given to prayer and meditation, the unspeakable benefit whereof is best known to them who are most exercised therein; this being the mean whereby, in a special way, communion with God is entertained, and right preparation for all other duties obtained: and therefore it becometh not only pastors, within their several charges, to press persons of all sorts to perform this duty morning and evening, and at other occasions; but also it is incumbent to the head of every family to have a care, that both themselves, and all within their charge, be daily diligent herein.

In family devotion, first, prayer and praises performed with a special reference, as well to the public condition of the church of God, as to the present case of the family, and every member thereof. Next, Reading of the scriptures, with catechising in a plain way, that the understandings of the simpler may be the better enabled to profit under the public ordinances, and they made more capable to understand the scriptures when they are read; together with godly conferences tending to the edification of all the members in the most holy faith: as also, admonition and rebuke, upon just reasons, from those who have authority in the family.

As the charge and office of interpreting the holy scriptures is a part of the ministerial calling, which none (however otherwise qualified) should take upon him in any place, but he that is duly called thereunto by God and His Church; so in every family where there is any that can read, the holy scriptures should be read ordinarily to the family; and it is commendable, that thereafter they confer, and by way of conference make some good use of what hath been read and heard. 

The head of the family is to take care that none of the family withdraw himself from any part of family-worship: and, seeing the ordinary performance of all the parts of family-worship belongeth properly to the head of the family, the minister is to stir up such as are lazy, and train up such as are weak, to a fitness to these exercises; it being always free to persons of quality to entertain one approved by the presbytery for performing family-exercise. 

Let no idler, who hath no particular calling, or vagrant person under pretence of a calling, be suffered to perform worship in families, to or for the same; seeing persons tainted with errors, or aiming at division, may be ready (after that manner) to creep into houses, and lead captive silly and unstable souls.

At family-worship, a special care is to be had that each family keep by themselves; neither requiring, inviting, nor admitting persons from divers families, unless it be those who are lodged with them, or at meals, or otherwise with them upon some lawful occasion.

Whatsoever have been the effects and fruits of meetings of persons of divers families in the times of corruption or trouble, (in which cases many things are commendable, which otherwise are not tolerable,) yet, when God hath blessed us with peace and purity of the gospel, such meetings of persons of divers families are to be disapproved, as tending to the hinderance of the religious exercise of each family by itself, to the prejudice of the public ministry, to the rending of the families of particular congregations, and (in progress of time) of the whole kirk. Besides many offences which may come thereby, to the hardening of the hearts of carnal men, and grief of the godly.

On the Lord’s day, after every one of the family apart, and the whole family together, have sought the Lord (in whose hands the preparation of men’s hearts are) to fit them for the public worship, and to bless to them the public ordinances, the master of the family ought to take care that all within his charge repair to the public worship, that he and they may join with the rest of the congregation: and the public worship being finished, after prayer, he should take an account what they have heard; and thereafter, to spend the rest of the time which they may spare in catechising, and in spiritual conferences upon the word of God: or else (going apart) they ought to apply themselves to reading, meditation, and secret prayer, that they may confirm and increase their communion with God: that so the profit which they found in the public ordinances may be cherished and promoved, and they more edified unto eternal life.

So many as can conceive prayer, ought to make use of that gift of God; albeit those who are rude and weaker may begin at a set form of prayer, but so as they be not sluggish in stirring up in themselves (according to their daily necessities) the spirit of prayer, which is given to all the children of God in some measure: to which effect, they ought to be more fervent and frequent in secret prayer to God, for enabling of their hearts to conceive, and their tongues to express, convenient desires to God for their family. And, in the meantime, for their greater encouragement, let these materials of prayer be meditated upon, and made use of, as followeth.

“Let them confess to God how unworthy they are to come in his presence, and how unfit to worship his Majesty; and therefore earnestly ask of God the spirit of prayer.

“They are to confess their sins, and the sins of the family; accusing, judging, and condemning themselves for them, till they bring their souls to some measure of true humiliation.

“They are to pour out their souls to God, in the name of Christ, by the Spirit, for forgiveness of sins; for grace to repent, to believe, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and that they may serve God with joy and delight, walking before him.

“They are to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his people, and to themselves, and especially for his love in Christ, and for the light of the gospel.

“They are to pray for such particular benefits, spiritual and temporal, as they stand in need of for the time, (whether it be morning or evening,) as anent health or sickness, prosperity or adversity.

“They ought to pray for the kirk of Christ in general, for all the reformed kirks, and for this kirk in particular, and for all that suffer for the name of Christ; for all our superiors, the king’s majesty, the queen, and their children; for the magistrates, ministers, and whole body of the congregation whereof they are members, as well for their neighbours absent in their lawful affairs, as for those that are at home.

“The prayer may be closed with an earnest desire that God may be glorified in the coming of the kingdom of his Son, and in doing of his will, and with assurance that themselves are accepted, and what they have asked according to his will shall be done.”

These exercises ought to be performed in great sincerity, without delay, laying aside all exercises of worldly business or hinderances, not withstanding the mockings of atheists and profane men; in respect of the great mercies of God in the land.

Besides the ordinary duties in families, which are above mentioned, extraordinary duties, both of humiliation and thanksgiving, are to be carefully performed in families, when the Lord, by extraordinary occasions, (private or public,) calleth for them.

Seeing the word of God requireth that we should consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works; therefore, at all times, and specially in this time, wherein profanity abounds, and mockers, walking after their own lusts, think it strange that others run not with them to the same excess of riot; every member of this church ought to stir up themselves, and one another, to the duties of mutual edification, by instruction, admonition, rebuke; exhorting one another to manifest the grace of God in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and in living godly, soberly and righteously in this present world; by comforting the feeble-minded, and praying with or for one another. Which duties respectively are to be performed upon special occasions offered by Divine Providence; as, namely, when under any calamity, cross, or great difficulty, counsel or comfort is sought; or when an offender is to be reclaimed by private admonition, and if that be not effectual, by joining one or two more in the admonition, according to the rule of Christ, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

And, because it is not given to every one to speak a word in season to a wearied or distressed conscience, it is expedient, that a person (in that case,) finding no ease, after the use of all ordinary means, private and publick, have their address to their own pastor, or some experienced Christian: but if the person troubled in conscience be of that condition, or of that sex, that discretion, modesty, or fear of scandal, requireth a godly, grave, and secret friend to be present with them in their said address, it is expedient that such a friend be present. [Westminster Directory of Family Worship]

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Preparing the Way of the Lord (Luke 3:1-7)

Luke 3:1-2 (KJV) Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, …

It was in the 15^th year of Tiberius Caesar the next Roman Emperor (A.D. 14-37) after the death of Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1) when our Lord began His ministry at the age of thirty after the account of His baptism, with the Father in heaven directly authenticating Him as His beloved Son – Luke 3:22-23a (KJV) And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, … 

After the death of Herod the Great in 4 B.C., his kingdom was divided among his three sons. Archelaus received Judea, Samaria, and Idumea (cf. Matt. 2:21–23), Herod Antipas took over Galilee and Perea, and Philip inherited Iturea and Trachonitis, regions north and west of Galilee. When Archelaus was removed from office in A.D. 6 by Augustus because of misrule, Judea and Samaria were transferred to the control of Roman governors, known as prefects and procurators. Pontius Pilate is one such prefect, governing Judea from A.D. 26–36. In presiding over Jesus’ trial, Pilate will play a key role in Luke’s Gospel. 

Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee and Perea from his father’s death until he was deposed by the emperor Caligula in A.D. 39. This is the Herod who imprisoned and eventually executed John the Baptizer after John spoke out against his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. It is also Antipas who wonders about Jesus’ identity (9:7–9) and whom Jesus calls “that fox” (13:31–32). Only Luke records that Jesus stood before Herod during his trial (23:7–12; cf. Acts 4:27). The title “tetrarch” originally meant ruler of a fourth part of a region, but it came to be used of any minor ruler.

Philip, the half-brother of Herod Antipas, ruled as tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis from 4 B.C. until his death in A.D. 34. Generally recognized as the best of the Herodian rulers, he died without an heir, and his territory became part of the Roman province of Syria. He is mentioned in the New Testament only here. The Philip identified in Matthew 14:3 and Mark 6:17 as the husband of Herodias and half-brother of Antipas is a different son of Herod the Great. He lived in Rome and did not rule after his father’s death. The region of Abilene, over which Lysanias ruled as tetrarch, is located northwest of Galilee in Syria. 

Luke’s reference to two high priests at first seems odd, since Judaism had only one high priest. Annas, who came to office in A.D. 6, was deposed in A.D. 15 by Valerius Gratus. He was eventually succeeded by his son-in-law Caiaphas, who served from A.D. 18–37. Annas continued to wield enormous influence, however, and was viewed popularly as continuing as high priest. In this sense there were indeed two high priests: one who held the official office and one who wielded power behind the scenes. Luke thus demonstrates an astute historical sense by identifying not only the actual office holder, but also the political intrigues behind the office. [Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary]

Luke 3:2, 4-5 (KJV) … the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. … 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

John, the son of Zecharias, was called of God to be the forerunner of Jesus Christ as the prophet predicted to prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1, 4:5-6). John, having received the call, began preaching and baptizing. The word of God came to John, just as the Lord began to speak to young Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV) And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Isaiah 40:3-5 (KJV) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Malachi 3:1 (KJV) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:5-6 (KJV) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Luke 3:3 (KJV) And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

The call for repentance to the people of Israel by John was to jolt them to come back to God having rebelled against Him. John baptized the repentant and contrite ones in the Jordan river symbolizing the washing away of sin. There is forgiveness of sins where there is true repentance when they turn from their sins to Christ, the Lamb of God, that will take away their sins – Luke 3:6 (KJV) And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 

Persevering at The 7am Service 

Pray the Lord’s blessing for the gathering at The 7am Service, every Tuesday and Friday, till the end of October 2025.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Gospel Rally 2025

This year’s Gospel Rally will be held, God willing, on 7 September. Do pray for the Lord’s blessing as the gospel is held forth, that souls may be saved and the saints strengthened in the faith.

The invitation bookmark is ready for distribution. Do pray and avail yourself to invite love ones and friends to our gathering. Amen.

Persevere in the Use of the Catechism at Home

Besides the public worship as a congregation, mercifully established, it is expedient and necessary that secret worship of each person alone, and private worship of families, be pressed and set up; that prayerfully lead to national reformation, the profession and power of godliness, both personal and domestic, be advanced.

How careful should ministers and parents be to train up young ones whilst they are yet pliable, and like wax, capable of any form and impression, in the knowledge and fear of God; and betimes to instil principles of our most holy faith, as they are drawn into a short sum in catechism, and so altogether laid in view of conscience! 

Surely these seeds of truth planted in the field of memory, if they work nothing else, will at least be a great check and bridle for them, and , as the casting in of cold water doth stay the boiling of the pot, somewhat allay the fervours of youthful lusts and passions.

I had, upon entreaty, resolved to recommend to thee with greatest earnestness the work of catechising. 

Bewailing the great distractions, corruptions and divisions that are in the church, let us examine the cause and cure:

Among others, a principal cause of these mischiefs is the great and common neglect of the governors of families, in the discharge of that duty which they owe to God for the souls that are under their charge, especially in teaching them the doctrine of Christianity. Families are societies that must be sanctified to God as well as churches; and the governors of them have as truly a charge of the souls that are therein, as pastors have of the churches. 

But, alas, how little is that considered or regarded! But while negligent masters of families take themselves to be almost blameless. They offer their children to God in baptism, and there they promise to teach them the doctrine of the gospel, and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord, but they easily promise, and easily break it; and educate their children for the world and the flesh, although they have renounced these, and dedicated them to God. This covenant-breaking with God, and betraying the souls of their children to the devil, must lie heavy on them here or hereafter. They beget children, and keep families, merely for the world and the flesh: but little consider what a charge is committed to them, and what it is to bring up a child for God, and govern a family as a sanctified society. [Adapted and edited from Mr Thomas Manton’s Epistle to the Reader – The Westminster Confession] 

Since the beginning of the year of grace 2025, the church has embarked on the catechising of the church and families in the church in the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechism.

A recording has been made by Pastor and sent out to members and friends for each week’s catechism to facilitate and to encourage the process of catechising the families in the church. We have completed Family Devotions (33) from 11-17 August 2025 from Questions 75-81 of the Larger Catechism on God, His Sanctification & Assurance.

There are 20 weekly catechism topics to the close of the year. Families are encouraged to persevere. As for the singles in our congregation, do persevere in the study in your personal devotions.

We leave the outcome to our good God to order while families do their part in inculcating God’s Word in the hearts and minds of its members to God’s glory Amen.

Family-Based Christian Education

The question is often asked why children of believing parents go astray when they enter adulthood. Did the children not go through the ranks of Sunday School in their formative years? What went wrong?

The Puritan writer Thomas Manton has this observation for our consideration. He said that the decay of the power of godliness and especially great corruption of youth in the Christian community is traced not so much to bad children and bad servants but to bad parents and bad masters that make bad children and bad servants. A clear reason for their lack of piety can be traced to parents own negligence of their children’s spiritual education.

Can the children who spend one hour in Sunday School each week be properly taught in the things of God whilst they spent 40 hours of each week immersed in the education of this world? The inordinate proportion of time for spiritual inculcation is one hour compared with at least 40 hours of education in the world, besides other enrichment classes. Can such a child be properly taught spiritually speaking? I believe the answer is an emphatic “No”.

Is it any wonder in their young adult years, we find them having marriage partners among unbelievers? And thus, the spiritual disaster of a generation!

Manton insightfully observed, “The devil hath a great respite at the kingdom of Christ, and he knoweth no such compendious way to crush it in the egg, as by the perversion of the youth, and supplanting family-duties…Religion was first hatched in families, and there the devil seeketh to crush it; the families of the Patriarchs were all the churches God had in the world for the time; and therefore (I suppose), when Cain went out from Adam’s family, he is said to go out from the face of the Lord (Gen. 4:16). How, the devil know that this is a blow at the root, and a ready way to prevent the succession of churches: if he can subvert families, other societies and communities will not long flourish and subsist with any power and vigour; for there is the stock from whence they are supplied both for the present and future.”

He further pointed out, “For the present: A family is the seminary of church and state; and if children are not principled there, all miscarrieth: a fault in the first concoction is not mended in the second; if youth be ill-bred in the family, they prove ill in church and society; there is the first making or marring, and the presage of their future lives to be thence taken – Proverbs 20:11 (KJV) Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

The neglect of family discipline is a root cause – “By family discipline, officers are trained up for the church – 1 Timothy 3:4 (KJV)  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; One that ruleth well his own house, and there are men bred up in subjection and obedience. It is noted in – Acts 21:5 (KJV) And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed – that the disciples brought Paul on his way with their wives and children; their children probably mentioned, to intimate, that their parents would, by their own example and affectionate farewell to Paul, breed them up in the way of reverence and respect to the pastors of the church.”

What is the issue there? “Among others, a principal cause of these mischiefs is the great and common neglect of the governors of families, in the discharge of that duty which they owe to God for the souls that are under their charge, especially in teaching them the doctrines of Christianity. Families are societies that must be sanctified to God as well as churches; and governors of them have a charge of the souls that are therein, as pastors have of the churches. But, alas, how little is this considered or regarded! But while negligent are (deservedly) cast out of their places, the negligent masters of families take themselves to be almost blameless. They offer their children in baptism, and there they promise to teach them the doctrine of the gospel, and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord; but they easily promise, and easily break it; and educate their children for the world and the flesh, although they have renounced these, and dedicated them to God. This covenant-breaking with God, and betraying the souls of their children to the devil, must lie heavily on them here and hereafter. They beget children, and keep families, merely for the world and the flesh: but little consider what a charge is committed to them, and what it is to bring a child for God, and govern a family as a sanctified society.” [extracted and edited from The Westminster Confession of Faith – Mr Thomas Manton’s Epistle to the Reader]

To be continued…

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Longing for Christ’s Coming (Luke 2:25-38)
 
Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of the world. This was revealed by the angel of the Lord (Luke 2:9) and a multitude of heavenly host (Luke 2:13) to Jewish shepherds in the field near Bethlehem at the time of His birth in Bethlehem – Luke 2:14 (KJV) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. The shepherds came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.
In Matthew’s account of the Gospel, wise men from the East came, to witness His birth, led by His star in the heavens, an amazing cosmic phenomenon – Matthew 2:11 (KJV) And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 
 
Our Lord testified in quoting from Deut. 17:6 and 19:15 that a matter is confirmed to be true by the witnesses of two men – John 8:17-18 (KJV) It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
 
At Christ’s birth, it is carefully recorded in the Gospels of both Jewish and Gentile witnesses. This is significant because Christ came to save both Jews and Gentiles – Romans 3:29 (KJV) Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. Also, 1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
 
At Christ’s dedication in the Temple at Jerusalem, God raised also two witnesses – Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) and Anna (Luke 2:36-38). Out of the number of young babies that were coming and going from the Temple day by day over the years, the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon and Anna that Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, is the Christ. We read in Luke 2:25-26 that the Holy Ghost was upon Simeon and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, the Lord’s Christ! 
 
Both Simeon and Anna were very much in tune with heart-beat of God in His plan to save the lost. They personally testified and affirmed Him for themselves as witnesses of God’s redemption plan, commending Him to others so that they likewise may receive Him as their Lord and Saviour. They were longing for Christ’s coming. So must the church today, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:8-21), longing for Christ’s return and to proclaim Him to the world. Not any other Christ, but the Christ of the Bible!
 
The work of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ is well explained by our Lord Jesus in John 16:7-11 (KJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. Three things that the Holy Spirit will do for the believer is to help him truly understand human sin, that is, man’s depravity; the remedy for sin in Christ; and the judgment to come for the unrepentant. The hour indeed is drawing near to Christ’s return. May His church be redeeming the time, because the days are evil, be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is, walking as children of light. Amen. 
 
 Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Circumcision and Consecration of Christ (Luke 2:21-35)

The Old Testament Law in Leviticus 12:1-8 delineated a forty-day purification for the mother after the birth of a son consisting of seven days before the circumcision of the child and thirty-three days after. There was this period of confinement that Mary, the mother of Jesus observed.

Leviticus 12:1-8 (KJV) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. 5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. 6And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: 7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. 8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

The Old Testament law required that every firstborn male, whether human or animal to be dedicated to the LORD. Firstborn animals were to be offered as a sacrifice. For the male child in Israel, the LORD would accept the Levities as His own tribe instead of the firstborn sons. However, a redemption price of five shekels was to be paid. Notice, there was no mention of our Lord’s redemption but wholly dedicated to the LORD.

Exodus 13:2 (KJV) Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, bothof man and of beast: it is mine. … 12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’S.

Luke 2:23 (KJV) (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

The dedications of sons was carried out in the Temple – Nehemiah 10:35-36 (KJV) And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: 36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: [Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary] 

Our Lord’s circumcision was a public testimony to Israel, that according to the flesh, He was a Jew, made of a Jewish woman, and “made under the law.” (Gal. 4:4). Without it He would not have fulfilled the law’s requirement. Without it He could not have been recognized as the son of David and the seed of Abraham. [JC Ryle]

God calls this saving relationship an “everlasting covenant” – a covenant of salvation from generation to generation – Genesis 17:7 (KJV) And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

The LORD gave the sign and symbol to mark that covenant relationship. He said that Abraham was to be circumcised, and this circumcision was to be a sign of the covenant salvation – Genesis 17:11 (KJV) And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. [Infant Baptism – John P. Sartelle]

Circumcision was absolutely necessary before our Lord could be heard as a teacher in Israel. Without it He would have had no place in any lawful Jewish assembly, and no right to any Jewish ordinance. Without it He would have been regarded by all Jews as nothing better than an uncircumcised Gentile, and an apostate from the faith of the fathers. [JC Ryle]

Lenski observed well, “The act of circumcision made Jesus a member of the covenant people and thereby placed Him under the law (Gal. 4:4). It was legally performed on the eighth day (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3). So Jesus was formally obligated to fulfil the divine law. No ordinary Jew could fulfil that obligation because he sinned often and thus required the sacrifices to remove his sins and to keep him in the covenant. But Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the law perfectly, not for Himself, but in order to redeem (buy free) us who are under the law and cannot fulfil it. The Lawgiver make Himself subject to that law as it is connected with the Abrahamic covenant. The circumcision is thus on a par with the baptism of Jesus.”

Baptism signifies the outward expression of the inward work of the Holy Spirit to regenerate a man, whose sins are borne by Christ on the cross effected through faith, and is risen with Him in the resurrection to receive the gift of eternal life.

Baptism signifies cleansing from sin and directly signifies our acceptance of the atonement of Christ accomplished on the cross.

Jesus being circumcised was not meant in the least as an acknowledgement that there was any tendency to corruption in His heart. It was not a confession of inclination to evil, and of need of grace to mortify the deeds of the body. All this should be borne in mind. [JC Ryle]

Circumcision like baptism indicates that the stains of sin have been removed, setting the person apart for a holy life – Acts 22:16 (KJV) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

When Jesus began His ministry, He emphatically said in Matthew 5:17 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Notice that Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him to the LORD. It was the faith of Mary and Joseph in action to fulfil the covenant and invoke all its promises. 

Circumcision was the sign of salvation in the Old Testament just as baptism was the sign of salvation in the New Testament. God tells Abraham to apply this sign of salvation to infants born into His house. Abraham was a sinner saved by grace through faith. God made circumcision a sign of salvation. The sign of salvation was to be given to infants of believing parents, just as it was for Mary and Joseph who brought Jesus to be dedicated to the LORD (v22).

Today, we ask this to believing parents who bring their child for infant baptism:

Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine grace, that you will endeavour to set before him a good example, that you will pray with and for him, that you will teach him the doctrines of our holy faith, and that you will strive, by all the means of God’s appointment, to bring him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? 

Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The Witness of Angels and Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)

Angels are powerful spirit beings created by the LORD attested in Scripture as a fact – Psalm 148:2 (KJV) Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. … 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. Also, in Colossians 1:16 (KJV) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

When were the angels created? When God created the heaven, He created the angelic beings! Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Exodus 20:11 (KJV) For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is [including angels], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

When the earth was shaped and formed and inhabited, the angels in heaven rejoiced –  Job 38:6-7 (KJV) Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? 

Angels worshipped the LORD God in heaven – Nehemiah 9:6 (KJV) Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that istherein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

Their number, Scripture reveals are innumerable and inconceivable. The greatest number was described to be 10,000 x 10,000 = 100,000,000 in Daniel 7:10 (KJV) A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. 

Luke 2:10-13 recorded that an angel sent by the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the field by night announcing the birth of the Saviour with a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.

Angels are intelligent, personal beings with perception (Matt. 18:10 – …That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven), speech (John 20:13 – appearing to Mary Magdelene after Christ’s resurrection) and curiosity (the gospel … things the angels desire to look into), worshipping and praising God (Psalm 148:2).

It was an angel sent by God to first preached the gospel – Luke 2:10-12 (KJV) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

It will also be angel sent by God to declare the gospel for the last time during the Great Tribulation – Revelation 14:6-7 (KJV) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The call of the angel to the world was to fear God and give glory to Him, humble themselves, come to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and worship their Creator God!

It was the angel Gabriel, the name means “Strong man of God”, who announced to Mary in 4 B.C. that the Holy Child Jesus who is the Christ is conceived in her womb of the Holy Spirit – Luke 1:26-27 (KJV) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And earlier to Zecharias in Luke 1:19 (KJV) And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

Indeed, elect angels (1 Tim. 5:21) are ministering spirits sent to aid man to do the will of God at the command of God – Hebrews 1:14 (KJV) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? This is well attested in Psalm 103:20-21 (KJV) Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. These elect angels are contrasted with fallen angels called “the devil and his angels” in Matt. 25:41 that God will judge.

The first recipients of the gospel within Israel were shepherds keeping watch of their sheep by night. They heartily received the Lord Jesus with joy and transmitted the message with zeal and great joy, glorifying and praising God – Luke 2:16 – 17, 20 (KJV) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. … 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

These first preachers of the gospel who pointed men to Jesus Christ for salvation were Jewish shepherds, chosen of God to carry the gospel faithfully. The shepherds, being shepherds, understood best the role of Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 3:20), the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep – John 10:11 (KJV) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

The shepherd’s care for the sheep mirrors Christ’s complete and comprehensive care for His people, coming personally on earth, entering human history, to save lost sinners – Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

These shepherds became the Lord’s appointed shepherds to gather the lost sheep of Israel setting the example for Gentile evangelism in the church age in obedience to Christ’s Commission. Amen.

The 7am Service

Thank God for His grace in assembling His people both physically and on-line for this early morning hour of worship every Tuesday and Friday from July – October 2025. On Friday, 18 July 2025, was the 138^th meeting and the 6^th meeting since 1 July 2025 and 30^thmeeting for this year. 

Recorded services and messages are available on the church’s page on Sermon Audio, YouTube and Facebook.

Praise God! Pray for His church to persevere as we see the day of Christ’s fast approaching. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The Saviour’s Birth – A Gospel for All the World – Tracing the Movement of the Gospel through Time and Nations

The birth of Christ, the only Saviour of the world, was during the time when Caesar Augustus was emperor of Rome and the nation of Israel was a vassal state of the Roman Empire at the height of its glory. There was peace and no war in the land. The rise of Roman power and the consolidation of Roman rule has for the first time given the Western civilization a pattern of political order. The Romans absorbed and preserved Greek culture and education within a political structure in its vast domain from York in Britain to Alexandria in Egypt, from the Atlantic to the Euphrates. The New Testament Scriptures would be written in Greek to prepare for its dissemination. The scene was set for the rapid propagation of the Gospel to the Gentile world and the consolidation of Christianity fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to the church to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every nation. The New Testament Scripture recorded the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in empowering the church to preach the gospel all the way to the heart of the Roman Empire so that Christianity became a powerful organized force together with two unifying elements of the Roman Empire – Roman law and State organization even after Rome began to gradually decline in terms of its political influence.

The notion of the “dark” Middle Ages where for a thousand years, the church began to be infiltrated and decline is an incomplete story shrouding the successful propagation and consolidation of the gospel in the life of the nations that received it. In the Foundation Bible Class notes on False Teachings in the church, appendix A, was given the reasons for the decline of the church in the Middle Ages. It was assumed that from A.D. 400 to 1400 the progress of the arts and sciences, and indeed all cultural life, came to a halt and Christianity was on its decline for a thousand years until the “rediscovery” of the literature and art of the ancient Greco-Roman world, the re-discovery of the Greek New Testament Scriptures, leading to the 16^th century Protestant Reformation. This is not so!

Between the time of the Reformation and the decline of the Roman Empire, began in the 3^rd Century A.D. the Byzantium Empire who was both the last direct heir to the Roman Empire and the first Christian nation. The Holy Spirit’s work in Christ’s true church was unabated fulfilling Christ’s words to His disciples before His passion and ascension to heaven:

John 16:7-12 (KJV) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

This I believe is the spirit’s intent in the biblical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles to trace the progress of the true church undergirded by the sovereign power of God as opposed to the seemingly dismal account of its human failures recorded in 1 & 2 Kings. It is an encouragement to the church today that God has indeed reserved for Himself seven thousand men who have not bow the knees to Baal! But more than a remnant, the gospel actually took root in the Byzantine Empire. Throughout its long history, Byzantium remained faithful both to its classical heritage and to its Christian precepts. The imperial Court discussed Greek philosophy and recited Homer, had the Greek New Testament Scriptures preserved within its ranks, and sent missionaries to the Near East and converted the Russians. The Byzantines systematized Roman law and patterned their Senate after Rome’s. Typically, the 11^th century ruler Irene Ducas styled herself “Empress of the Romans – faithful in Christ our Lord”. 

The Byzantines regarded themselves as the chosen people of God. The emperor claimed to rule by divine right and to serve as the spokesman of Heaven’s will; at his coronation a chorus sang “Glory to God who made you emperor”. To dramatize his role, he occasionally mounted the pulpit and preached a sermon to the Court. Artists always portrayed him in mosaics with a halo around his head. But the state, founded by Constantine under the Cross, kept its perspective: Christ’s portrait engraved on Byzantine coins and stamped with the motto, “Jesus Christ, King of Rulers”. [Great Age of Man – A History of the World’s Cultures – Byzantium by Philip Sheerard and the Editors of Time-Life Books]

One of the greatest Byzantine contributions to Western civilization was the clarification and transmission of the essence of Roman law. The Romans had bequeathed to Byzantium a vast body of legal opinion that was frequently antiquated or contradictory. Justinian, the great sixth-century Emperor, reduced this entangled collection to a coherent system. In A.D. 528 he appointed a commission of 10 men who classified the constitution written by various Roman emperors into a single code of 4,652 laws. Another commission produced a 50-volume digest of major decision that had been handed down by authoritative jurists in the second and third centuries, the golden age of Roman law. In civil law, the new system was more efficient and progressive than the ancient Roman statutes it supplanted. Justinian made it easier, for example, to free slaves and to sell land. He guaranteed inheritance rights to widows and reduced the absolute power of fathers over the lives of their children. In the area of criminal law, however, the new system was far sterner than its predecessor. The Christian jurists for the first time made crimes out of heresy and seduction. Heretics who varied from Orthodox practice were barred from holding office and denied their inheritance. A seducer was automatically executed, as was his victim if she willingly submitted; if the girl chaperone encouraged the alliance, molten lead was poured in her mouth. Despite such barbaric provisions, Justinian’s code was so clear and consistent that it later served as the model for the legal systems of most European countries.

The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire centred on Constantinople, renamed in 1930, Istanbul, in modern day Turkey, which unlike its Western counterpart had not fallen beneath the weight of Germanic invasions of the 4^th and 5^th centuries. The Byzantines called themselves “Romans”, not “Byzantines” (a more recent term invented by Western historians). As far as the Emperors and people of Byzantium were concerned, they were simply the ancient Roman Empire in all its glory, still full of life and strength, now sanctified by its adoption of the Christian faith. Charlemagne and the Western Emperors might speak of themselves as the “Holy Roman Empire”, but that title more truly belonged, the Byzantines felt, to themselves. [2000 years of Christ’s Power Volume 2 – The Middle Ages by Nick Needham]

As early as the 6^th century, Byzantines’ greatest success were as missionaries of Christianity and civilization came 300 years later in Slavic regions of Eastern Europe. In 863 the King of Moravia asked for a teacher who could preach the Christian faith to his subjects in their own language. A Byzantine monk Cyril evolved a Slavic alphabet and set out to convert the Moravians. Although his attempts with them failed, his followers succeeded among the Bulgarians. By the 10^th century other countries, including Russia, had joined the Orthodox fold, and Cyril’s written language eventually became, in modified forms, the basis for the culture of the entire Slavic world. There was a picture of Byzantine missionaries, witnessed by the King and Queen of Bulgaria, baptize a convert in an illumination from a Slavic text.

With the fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Turks in 1453, the stage was set for the gospel to be revived in Western Europe a greater propagation of the Word of God during the Protestant Reformation in 1517 through Martin Luther, who was a beneficiary of the missionary endeavour of John Hus of Bohemia. 

The revival of Greek ideas during the Renaissance would have been largely impossible had not Byzantine scholars studied and preserved the ancient literature. The Greek New Testament text has been preserved in the church largely through the Byzantine church. This is a broad stroke of movement of the Holy Spirit. With the invention of the printing press and the translation of the Bible to the language of the nations, the gospel affirmed in Western Europe once again. The missionary efforts of Western missionaries and the persecution of the Christians in Europe led to the spread of the faith to America and from there to Asia where we received our faith in the past 75 years. Amen.

The 7am Service 

Pray for God’s blessing in The 7am Service. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The 7am Service Resumes

We began “The 7am Service” on 1 July 2025 (Tuesday) for the period July – October 2025, with services every Tuesday and Friday. Starting with the Book of James, Pastor Lek preached on the Epistle of James on the new series of 7 messages “Understanding What Is True Faith” beginning with James 1:1-17 entitled “True Faith in Christ” on “How to Face Trials and Temptations in the Christian Life”. Mr Lucas Lek began the study of the Minor Prophets consisting of 28 messages from 4 July with the message “Bow in Contrition of Heart” (Minor Prophets Summary 1) taken from Zephaniah 1:1-2:3. Recordings of the messages are available in the church’s Sermon Audio, Facebook and YouTube channel. Pray for God’s grace to worship Him. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The 7am Service

We shall begin “The 7am Service” on 1 July 2025 (Tuesday) for the period July – October 2025, with services every Tuesday and Friday. We shall be studying the 12 Minor Prophets by Mr Lucas Lek and the Book of James by Pastor Lek. Services will be held at the William Booth Chapel at Level 2. Do make appointment with the Lord to meet for “The 7am Service” for the second half of the year of grace 2025.

The Amazing Grace Family Devotion Book – Luke’s Gospel Volume 2

The Amazing Grace Family Devotion Book on the Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle (Volume 2) has been published and distributed during the recent Family Bible Camp on 10-13 June 2025. 

Volume 2 has Devotion 51-99 from Luke 9:1-16:31 together with the Westminster Larger Catechism Questions 51-106 with proof texts.

Have attached the pictorial guide to Family Worship and a sample of Devotion 51 below.

May the Lord bless this new volume for the edification of His people to the glory of His Name. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

A Glorious Culminative Fulfilment – Luke 1-2

The two announcements by the angel Gabriel, who first appeared to Daniel (Dan. 8:16, 9:25), appeared to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-23) and Mary (Luke 1:26-38) heralding the birth of John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Christ in Luke 1:5-25; 57-80 and the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-52 were divinely interwoven with the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-45 and Mary’s Song of Praise in Luke 1:46-56. The name “Zecharias” means “God remembers”, providentially, answering his prayer for a son at his old age (Luke 1:13).

The gospel writer Luke put on record lest we forget the glorious culminative fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah’s first coming with the unprecedented supernatural virgin birth (Isa. 7:14, 9:6; Gen. 3:15; Dan. 9:25-26) by Mary of Israel’s Christ or Messiah and His forerunner in the womb of the aged and barren Elizabeth who preceded His coming (Mal. 3:1-3, 4:5-6). For a woman bearing child in her old age there were Old Testament precedence, notably of the patriarch Abraham and Sarah with the birth of Isaac. It was to emphasize what Luke wanted to express, preparing our mind to believe the virgin birth in Luke 1:37 (KJV) For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Both names, John which means “God has been gracious” and Jesus which means “Saviour” were divinely given by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:13 and 1:31- Luke 1:13 (KJV) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:31 (KJV) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

John was Jesus’ heralder. Jesus’ birth was the apex, the culminative fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecies, the seed of the woman that will bruise the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15), conquering sin and death by His perfect life culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection from the dead the third day.

The offer of salvation through Jesus, the Christ, is faithfully presented by Luke, that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of God – Luke 1:35 (KJV) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth after an urgent and arduous journey confirmed the words of the angel Gabriel. Mary saw the fulfilment of the angel’s words that Elizabeth was indeed six months pregnant. And the Spirit-filled acknowledgement of Elizabeth that Mary was carrying the Saviour in her womb further confirmed to Mary the angel’s words – Luke 1:43 (KJV) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

Mary’s testified with a Song of Praise that she was indeed carrying in her womb the Saviour of the world – Luke 1:46-47 (KJV) And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Hallelujah! The Saviour has come! Let His people praise, acknowledge and testify of Him. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Family Bible Camp 2025

Thank God for gathering 70 campers for Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church’s Family Bible Camp from 10-13 June 2025. The theme: Walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

The Christian life is “life in the Spirit”, full of spiritual and heavenly desires, as a citizen of the kingdom of God. He has escaped the corruption that is in the world through lusts. A partaker of the divine nature that the Holy Spirit indwelling him imparts, through the exceeding great and precious promises in the Word of God (2 Peter 1:4). The Christian, to be spiritual, must “walk by means of the Spirit.”

The Christian finds fulfilment not in meat and drink but in righteousness, peace and the joy of the Holy Ghost (Rom. 14:17). 

He has a thirst for righteousness and is wholly satisfied – Matthew 5:6 (KJV) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

He has real inner peace in his heart, the forgiveness of sin, resting completely in the atoning work of Christ for his salvation through faith (Eph. 2:13-15; Rom 5:1), having real rest (sabbath) in his soul, that is, spiritual rest in Christ – Hebrews 4:3 (KJV) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

Most of all, he has the joy of the Holy Ghost, not the pseudo-happiness that this world offers, but real joy.

This is a picture of a man who walk in the Spirit. A man who is spiritually mature, living right in the centre of God’s will, able to see through the deception that is in the world, though persecuted, living the abundant life (John 10:10) unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).

This is a reality of life in the Spirit. The workings of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life is little understood. It is no wonder, Christians are not growing and living the overcoming life that God’s Word promised them (Gal. 5:16).

We looked to understand the workings of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s life so that God’s people may walk in the Spirit and reap all the benefits of that blessed life. 

There were 4 messages and Prayer Meeting Devotion entitled 
“Christ – Our Offering for Sin” (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) by Pastor Lek.

• Person of the Holy Spirit
  • Understand the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian’s Life
  • Conforming and Transforming
• Practically speaking – How to Walk in the Spirit
  • How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit
  • How to be Led by the Holy Spirit
• Preparing to Bear the Fruit of the Holy Spirit
  • Put Off the Works of the Flesh
  • Live Holily in the Spirit
• Preparing the Church to be the Bride of Christ
  • Parable of the Ten Virgins
  • Power to Witness for Christ

There were 3 morning devotions by Mr Lucas Lek taken from Romans 9-11, entitled “Bowing to God’s Righteous Purposes” (Rom. 9:6-29), “Grieving for Israel’s Gret Disobedience” (Rom. 9:30-10:21), “Continuing in God’s Gracious Covenant” (Rom. 11).

Messages are available on the church’s website, Sermon Audio, YouTube and Facebook page.  

Thank the Lord for blessing our gathering to study His Word. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Reformation Study Tour 2025

The Life of John Calvin – Theologian, Pastor, Reformer

Birth – John Calvin was born on July 10, 1509, in the town of Noyon, in northwest France. He was born about twenty-five years after Luther and Zwingli. Noyon still contains the large cathedral in which Calvin’s father was the bishop’s secretary. His father wanted him to enter the priesthood. In 1520, at the remarkable young age of eleven, John Calvin became a chaplain in the cathedral, giving him a close look at some of questionable workings of the Catholic Church.

University In Paris, Orleans, and Bourges – In 1523, at the age of fourteen, Calvin was sent to Paris to study theology. In 1524, he entered the college of Montaigu, graduating at nineteen with a Master of Arts degree. In 1528, Calvin went to Orleans to study law, and then to Bourges. He received his Doctor (Licentiate) of Law degree in 1532. He also published his commentary on De Clementia by Seneca.

Conversion to Christ – It was during the days in Bourges that Calvin came across Luther’s writings, which had swept across Europe. He was converted to Jesus Christ during the time, and thus to the Protestant faith. He described his own conversion in these words: “God by a sudden conversion, subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame, which was more hardened in such matters than might have been expected from one at my early period of life. Having thus received some taste and knowledge of true godliness, I was immediately inflamed with so intense a desire to make progress therein, that although I did not altogether leave off other studies yet I pursued them with less ardour.” Having come to understand the meaning of salvation by grace through faith alone, Calvin began to write on his discoveries and to preach and counsel people. But this quickly caused him to be viewed with suspicion and forced him to move continuously to avoid arrest.

Flees Paris – In 1533, Nicolas Cops, rector of the University of Paris, gave a speech many scholars believe was written by Calvin. Calvin was now a marked man and considered an outlaw. Fleeing France for his life, he escaped by using sheets to let himself down from a window.

Goes to Basel and Writes the “Institutes of the Christian Religion” – After a few months travelling in France, Calvin finally went to Basel, Switzerland in 1535, and began to write the Institutes of the Christian Religion in Latin (the official language, though French was widely spoken), in which he systemized the Protestant doctrines in an orderly and logical manner. Commenting on this work, Calvin wrote: “I laboured at the task especially for our own Frenchmen, for I saw many were hungering and thirsting after Christ and yet that only a very few had any knowledge of Him.” Calvin dedicated the Institutes to Francis I, King of France, who was cruelly persecuting Protestants. In his introduction, Calvin tried to convince him of his error, and sought to explain “… the whole sum of godliness and whatever is necessary to know about saving doctrine.” In the Institutes, Calvin gave his views on the church, the sacraments, justification, Christian liberty, political government, predestination. 

In March 1536, the first edition of the Institutes was published. It was widely received, immediately bringing Calvin to international prominence. Without seeking it, he thus became the leader of the French Protestant cause.

Geneva Adopts the Reformation – On May 21, 1536, just two months after Calvin’s Institutes were published, Geneva officially voted by raised hands to adopt the Reformation. The city was no longer Catholic.

Farel Coerces Calvin to Come to Geneva – In July 1536, Calvin travelling and stopped in Geneva for the night. William Farel, having read the Institutes, heard about Calvin’s presence in Geneva and went to see him at his hotel. There, he forcefully told Calvin that he felt it was God’s will for him to stay in Geneva and lead the Reformation work in the city. Farel actually threatened him with a curse: “I denounce unto you, in the name of Almighty God, that if, under the pretext of prosecuting your studies, you refuse to labour with us in this work of the Lord, the Lord will curse you, as seeking yourself rather than Christ.”

Calvin himself described this incident and his reaction in the preface to his commentary on Psalms: “Farel, who burned with an extraordinary zeal to advance the gospel, immediately learned that my heart was set upon devoting myself to private studies, for which I wished to keep myself free from other pursuits, and finding that he gained nothing by entreaties, he proceeded to utter an imprecation that God would curse my retirement and the tranquility of the studies which I sought, if I should withdraw and refuse to give assistance, when the necessity was so urgent. By this imprecation I was so stricken with terror that I desisted from the journey which I had taken.” Calvin thus agreed to come to Geneva. He ended up staying in Geneva a total of twenty-eight years, mi nus the three years of banishment. He became a professor of sacred scripture and was soon thereafter appointed pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Geneva.

Calvin’s Goals in Geneva – Peter Hammond says this about Calvin’s goals in Geneva, “Calvin’s goal in Geneva was a well-taught, faithful church, dedicated to honouring God by orthodox praise and obedient holiness. He prepared a confession of faith to be accepted by everyone who wished to be a citizen, planned an educational program for all, and insisted on effective church discipline, including excommunication for those whose lives did not conform to biblical standards. His was the most strenuous program of moral discipline in the Protestant world, and quite a lot more than the city fathers of Geneva had bargained for. In April 1538 the City Counsel expelled Calvin and Farel.

Banishment from Geneva – Indeed, rigorous church discipline was not at first appreciated in Geneva. Calvin and Farel were thus banished from the city in 1538. Calvin went to Strasbourg and pastored a church of about 500 refugees. Farel went to Neuchatel, in Switzerland.

Marriage to Idelette – It was during this time that Calvin married a widow, named Idelette De Bure Storeur, who brought a son and a daughter into the marriage. Calvin was 31 when they married in 1540. He and Idelette had one child, Jacques, who died shortly after birth. The Strasbourg years were some of Calvin’s happiest.

Return to Geneva – In 1541, three years after being banished by Geneva, the City Counsel of Geneva recognized the huge mistake it had made regarding Calvin and rescinded their decision. They asked him to come back. Calvin agonized over the decision. Geneva, he knew, would be nothing but controversy and danger. But he went back to Geneva on September 13, 1541 and stayed until May 21, 1564 the day of his death. Interesting, and resumed his exposition of the scriptures exactly where he had left off three years earlier.

Continues to Write – That same year Calvin published the first French edition of Institutes of Christian Religion, in Geneva and The Ecclesiastical Ordinances. The following year, 1542, he wrote the Catechism of the Church of Geneva. He also began work on the Geneva Paslter.

Death of Idelette – In March of 1549 Calvin’s wife, Idelette, died from tuberculosis after nine years of marriage. Calvin never remarried. Instead, he gave himself totally to his work.

Execution of Michael Servetus – The year 1553 saw the trial and execution of Michael Servetus, a heretic, who was burned at the stake in Champel on October 27.

The Founding of the College and Academy – In 1559, the College and Academy were founded. Theodore Beze became its first rector. Pierre Viret and other professors left Lausanne and went to teach in Geneva. Calvin was also officially made a citizen of Geneva that same year.

Calvin’s Illnesses – Calvin never had good health and his workload clearly did not help. It is said he rarely slept more than four hours a night. He ate one meal a day and suffered severe headaches, fever, gallstones, chronic asthma and tuberculosis. Yet he studied, preached and wrote extensively: commentaries, correspondences, and theological treatises. He also received a steady stream of visitors. By 1560, Calvin’s health was quickly deteriorating, but amazingly, while ill and bed-ridden, he finished his final edition of Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Calvin’s Last Sermon – In early 1564, Calvin gave his last lecture in the Auditoire and preached his last sermon at St. Peter’s Cathedral. On April 25, he dictated his last well and testament. Then, on April 27 he gave his final farewells to the Councils of Geneva and his fellow pastors.

Calvin’s Death – On May 27, 1564, Calvin died with Farel at his side. [Following the Footsteps of the Great Reformer by John Glass]

Thank God for His grace in enabling the church’s Reformation Tour 2025. May the Lord strengthen His people to hold fast to the faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 4). Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Reformation Study Tour 2025

Martin Luther (1483-1546) – Monk ~ Preacher ~ Reformer

The Reformed Faith in Germany

Although Lutheranism was the prevailing form of Protestantism in Germany, the second half of the 16^th century saw the growth of the Reformed faith in the land of Luther. The great French city of Strasbourg, of course, had been more Reformed than Lutheran since the 1520s. However, it had swung over into the Lutheran camp after Holy Roman Emperor Charles V’s victory over the Schmalkaldic League in 1547, which had resulted in the exile of Strasbourg’s Reformed leaders, Martin Bucer and Peter Martyr, who fled to England.

The new heartland of the Reformed faith in Germany was an important south-western state called the Rhenish Palatinate whose prince was one of the seven electors of Germany (responsible for electing the Emperor). Its territory included the great university of Heidelberg. Initially the Palatinate had tolerated both Lutheran and Reformed Protestantism, but this led to increasing quarrels between the two parties, especially when the local Lutheran leader, Tilemann Hesshus, an uncompromising foe of all things Reformed, established forms of ritual for Lutheran worship which seemed indistinguishable from Roman Catholic superstition to the Reformed. Things came to a head in 1559 with the accession of a new prince, Frederick III (1559-76). Frederick, one of the most sincere and godly Protestant rulers of the 16^th century, made an intense study of the issues dividing Lutherans from Reformed, and was inclined to the Reformed side of the argument. To settle the matter he held a five-day disputation in June 1560, which finally convinced Frederick that the Reformed were in the right. So began the new Reformed history of the Palatinate.

Frederick invited Peter Martyr to become Heidelberg’s professor of theology, but Martyr declined on grounds of old age, recommending instead one of his German students, Zacharias Ursinus (1534-83). Ursinus, a disciple of Melanchthon as well as Martyr, took up the position in 1561. His closest colleague was Caspar Olevianun (1536-97), pastor of Saint Peter’s Church in Heidelberg. Ursinus and Olevianus achieved a kind of immortality in the Reformed Churches as the joint authors of the Heidelberg Catechism, first published in 1563. Marked by a moderate but lucid expression of Reformed theology and a warm evangelical spirit, the Heidelberg Catechism became arguably the most important of all Reformed confessions, gaining acceptance across the entire Reformed world, especially in Germany and the Dutch Republic. Meanwhile, Ursinus, Olevianus and other Reformed theologians, helped Prince Frederick to organise the Reformed Church in the Palatinate as a Presbyterian body, with the Church (not the state) having control of its own internal discipline.

This grand experiment of a German Reformed Church came to a temporary halt in 1576 with Frederick’s death. His son Louis VI, who was a staunch Lutheran, succeeded him and expelled no fewer than 600 Reformed theologians and pastors from the Palatinate, reconverting it unto a Lutheran state. Louis, however, died in 1583, and since his son was only nine years old, Louis’s brother John Casimir ruled in his name, and John was Reformed. He expelled the Lutherans and made the Palatinate a Reformed land once more. The effect of John Casimir’s action was enduring, in that from then onwards there would always be a German Reformed Church in Palatinate, despite the varying religious policies and loyalties of its princes.

Perhaps inspired by what Frederick had done in the Palatinate, in the closing decades of the 16^th century and on into the 17^th other German territories embraced the Reformed faith, either totally or by extending toleration to Reformed believers – Nassau, Bremen, Wesel, Julich, Cleves, Berg, Anhair, Hesse, and Brandenburg, among others. Protestant Germany would henceforth have a strong Reformed presence alongside its original Lutheranism. The fact that the Reformed faith was not recognised by the Peace of Augsburg did not check its spread, but did stoke up political problems which in 1618 would finally explode that peace. [2000 Years of Christ Power Volume 3, Renaissance and Reformation]

The life of the Czech priest and ecclesiastical reformer Jan Hus culminated on July 16^th, 1415 at Constance on the Bodensee where he was condemned by the Counsel, which began in Papal Curia, for heresy and executed. Sometime at the turn of 1390s, Hus joined Prague’s academic community. The medieval university of Prague was a church institution that concentrated primarily on theology and ecclesiastical law. Two years after graduating with a master’s degree, Hus became a ‘regular professor’ (a master regent) of the Faculty of Arts. Primacy had been firmly established by the supporters of reform and the followers of the teachings of John Wycliffe, chief among them Jan Hus. The publication of the Decree of Kutna Hora was the biggest political event Hus was involved in, and as used against him in Constance. Around 1400 Jan Hus experienced a period of success and professional development. Not only was he working successfully as a teacher at the Arts Faculty of Prague University, but he was also ordained as a priest and began to serve as a preacher. His sermonising took various forms – his addresses were directed in Latin at the learned university public and members of the clergy and above all, at the laity in their native tongue, first in Prague and later in the countryside. In 1402, he was installed as the preacher at the Bethlehem Chapel. This had been founded in the Prague Old Town in 1391 to offer Czech-speaking Praguers the chance to hear Czech sermons. While Hu’s predecessors were not marked by their conspicuous activity, his arrival brought a change. Hu’s took on the role enthusiastically as a calling, mostly preaching every day, even though this was not his duty, his sermonising making was heard through Prague, the Royal Court and indeed all of Bohemia. By 1412, when he was forced by papal bull to leave the Bethlehem Chapel and even flee Prague, he had given three and half thousand sermons, which he conceived in Latin but delivered in improvised translations in comprehensible Czech to his audience of both educated and illiterate listeners.

In 1412, a hundred years before Luther, he criticized the use of indulgences by the period Church and he was expelled from Prague. In the country he fully showed his inspiration by Wycliffe and by his essay “On the Church” he signed his death sentence. He could not refuse the invitation of the German King Sigismund to the Constance Council (1414-1418); after half a year he spent in prison there he was burned at stake as a convicted heretic on 6^th July 1415. [Swan, Goose and the Church, Jan His – The House of Jan Hus in Constance]

Hus wrote from prison that he would be baked like a goose, however, a swan would rise up. A hundred years later came the reformation in Germany through Luther. The Lutheran church has the swan for its symbol. The Lutheran church built near the site where Hus was burned at the stake fulfilled the prayer of Hus that his sacrifice will not be in vain for God because the fire of the Reformation that he lit will burn through Luther. The symbols of the goose and the swan were also used by Johann Bugenhagen in his speech at Luther’s funeral. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Reformation Study Tour 2025

Martin Luther (1483-1546) – Monk ~ Preacher ~ Reformer

Used as a gentleman’s prison in Wartburg Castle (Eisenach) under the protection of Elector Fredrick the Wise, this wood-paneled chamber with a small alcove served Martin Luther, pursued by pope and emperor Charles V, as his living quarter and work quarters for ten months in 1521-1522. It is the authentic site where the reformer began translating the Bible. Luther’s translation provided a readable version of the bible for the mass of uneducated people of his time.

Reformation Study Tour 2025

Thank God for His grace in BHBPC’s first Reformation Study Tour covering 3 countries – Germany, Switzerland and France,10 cites in 5 days to see the mighty power of our God working through the 16^th Century Reformation. Travelling by first-class train enabled the group of 10 to optimise time with daylight spanning 6am – 9pm daily from 12-16 May 2025.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

A Gospel for the World

God has only one plan to save the world. That is through His Son Jesus Christ, the God-Man, who entered human history through the virgin birth of a Jewish girl, Mary. The gospel began with the Jews. Jesus Christ, was of Jewish descent but traced to all the way to the first man Adam, the son of God, to affirm God’s remedy for sin since Adam’s fall – which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Man, fearfully and wonderfully created by God, has lost his way and the Father in heaven sought to bring him back through His Son, Jesus the Christ, the Second Person of the Godhead, who entered human history through a virgin birth at the pivotal point, B.C. before Christ, and A.D. Anno Domini, the year of the Lord.

God orchestrated the greatest rescue plan in human history, this is the good news, to all man, that all man who hear the gospel might be saved.

Christ’s final words before His ascension to heaven was recorded at the end of the Gospel in Luke 24:44-47 to His disciples:

Luke 24:44-47 (KJV) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Jesus affirmed the Old Testament Scriptures that it recorded His coming and that He has come to save sinners) 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

This is our purpose of preaching that the co-labouring of the Holy Ghost may illuminate our hearts and minds to understand and embrace the gospel.

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus, whom the gospel writer Luke called, the Son of Man, to identify the Saviour  as fully man and yet fully God able to forgive sins as affirmed in Luke 5:24 (KJV) But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.  

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

While the Jews from the religiously leaders to the man in the street rejected their Messiah, their Christ, the One prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures to save them from their sins, Jesus has chosen a small group of 12 or 11 disciples, one betrayed Him, the Apostles of Christ, a faithful remnant among predominantly unbelieving Jews, to affirm the truth that only Jesus saves, not only to the Jews but to the Gentile world.

That message has, therefore, been faithfully carried for the past two thousand years to reach our ears here in Singapore in the past 75 years through the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore in which we affirm to be the true gospel most accurately recorded in the King James version of the English Bible and its underlying Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek text.

The Plan – God’s Grace Came Gloriously to Save Souls (1:1), The Person – Charged to Carry the Vital Gospel (1:2-3), The Purpose – Affirming Jesus Christ as the Only Saviour in the Gospel (1:4). 

May the Lord grant understanding as the Gospel of Luke is opened in its verses for His glory to save souls and equip God’s people for the gospel work. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The 7am Service

Thank God for His grace in assembling the church for the early morning hour service on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4 February to 29 April at the William Booth Chapel. 

There were 24 services. There are 132 services since “The 7am Service” began on 1 July 2024. There were 108 services held from 1 July to 30 November 2024 with five weekday services.

The Books of Joshua and Judges were preached by Mr Lucas Lek and the Book of Philippians by Pastor Lek in the 24 services. Last year, the Books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy were preached by Mr Lucas Lek and the Gospel of John by Pastor Lek in the 108 services.

God willing, we shall resume “The 7am Service” on 1 July to 31 October 2025 on Tuesdays and Fridays with 36 services on The Minor Prophets by Mr Lucas Lek and the Book of James by Pastor Lek. Pray the Lord bless the services for His glory. Amen.

Reading the Entire Bible

Thank God for enabling the church to persevere in the reading of the Bible since 1 January 2024. In the year of grace 2024, the church read the Old Testament Scriptures twice. From 1 January to 30 April 2025, the church read the New Testament Scriptures. It is most heartening to see members and friends writing out summaries on pieces of Post-It and collation was done for each book of the 66 Books of the Bible.   

God’s people have benefitted from the reading and searching of the Scriptures in tandem with the Lord’s Day messages on the Books read for each week.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Since 1 January 2025, the church has begun the study of the Westminster Shorter Catechism for family devotions. This week, we shall complete the 19th and last session from 5-11 May 2025. Weekly videos have been recorded to encourage families in the church to gather weekly to study the Short Catechism together. May the Lord bless this final week of family devotion to the strengthening of the faith of His church. Amen. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening the Book of Revelation

The book of Revelation gives to us the most comprehensive account of God’s coming future judgment upon mankind for their rebellion against their Creator God. 

There is a rescue mission for salvation of souls of men and women through Jesus Christ who has the solution over man’s greatest problem of death and judgment in hell for He alone “holds the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:18b).

Jesus declared in Revelation 1:18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Jesus conquered death by His resurrection from the dead on the third day and was seen of above 500 witnesses for 40 days before He ascended to heaven at the right hand of the Father’s throne.

The study of the Book of Revelation holds the key to unlocking the door of understanding to current world events. As the future is unveiled before us in study of the Book of Revelation, it provides the clues to understanding current events leading to the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the climatic reunion between the church, the bride of  Christ, and her bridegroom, Jesus Christ!

We are seeing the movement towards the formation of the Antichrist kingdom and believers need to be assured of ultimate victory as we are called to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. The time when our Lord will take His church to glory is at hand, nearer than we think! 

Revelation 11:15 (KJV) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Let His church occupy till He come. Before the kingdom was to come in its final form as Revelation opens, the Lord ascended to heaven and will return after receiving His kingdom as the nobleman in Luke 19:15, His rebellious citizens and the work of His servants examined and scrutinized. 

The Book of Revelation provides a sober picture of the judgment which awaits the enemies of Christ (Phil 3:17-18), where those who refused God’s grace will be judged by God’s wrath. The church is to work responsibly and fruitfully while awaiting His return.

John 12:26 (KJV) If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Revelation opens with Christ’s admonition to the church on the traits of faithful and fruitful service (Rev. 1-3). With the rapture of the church, the scene opens in heaven in Rev. 4-5 as God unleashed His judgment upon earth during the 7-year Great Tribulation (Rev. 6-19). During this period, God will raise 144,000 Jewish evangelists to preach the gospel worldwide (Rev. 7, 14:4-5), the two witnesses – Moses and Elijah (Rev. 11:3-12) to authenticate Christ as the Saviour, and finally God sent an angel, never before, to preach the gospel in the air one last time (Rev. 14:6).

The Great Tribulation will also be a time where the wrath of God is outpoured upon the earth in judgment as never before. This is described in detail from Rev 6 – 19 with the series of judgment beginning with the 7 seals (Rev 6) followed by 7 trumpets (Rev 8-9) concluding with 7 bowls (Rev 16).

Meanwhile, the world braces itself for the rise of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:1-10,15-18) and the False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-14). The Antichrist gathers his massive army (220 million) to take control of Jerusalem and was defeated by Christ in His return from heaven with His saints (Rev. 19) to establish His thousand year rule on earth (Rev. 20:1-6) where Satan was bounded in a bottomless pit (Rev. 20:3) before a short-lived final rebellion (Rev. 20:7-10) before the Great White Throne Judgment where all who reject Christ will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15). This present heaven and earth will be destroyed and God will create a new heaven and new earth for His people (Rev. 21-22).

Revelation 22:12,14 (KJV) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be… 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Let His church be ready! Amen.

Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening the Gospel of John & 1-3 John 

The Apostle John was saved when our Lord Jesus Christ called his brother James and him after he called Andrew and Peter, through the ministry of John the Baptizer, to make them fishers of men (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:14-20). 

John wrote the Gospel of John, the three epistles 1-3 John and Revelation. The Gospel presents Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world (John 4:42), in the salvation of the woman in Samaria after Nicodemus the ruler of the Jews (John 3). The epistles of John were written to confirm our salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ and establish us in the faith experientially. The Book of Revelation gives comfort to present sufferers in the faith of unfolding future events and the consummation of this present age and the physical God’s kingdom to come.

Christ is presented as the eternal “Logos”, the Word made flesh, the eternal God entered human history and dwell among men. The message is this, as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God. This is termed “the new birth” (John 3). It means to have spiritual life, that is, communion and everlasting life with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is contrasted with physical life.

John 6:47 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Jesus explains the reconciliation of sinners to God through Him in the bestowment of eternal or spiritual life in a graphic illustration of physical food that sustains physical life – John 6:48-50 (KJV) I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Jesus will do so through the sacrifice of Himself, His coming crucifixion to reconcile men to God – John 6:51 (KJV) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.  

He is the Light that will dispel darkness, symbolic of the sin of the world – John 8:12 (KJV) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

This will be accomplish by Christ giving Himself in life and death to give eternal life to man – John 10:7, 11, 14:6 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It will be Christ’s resurrection from the dead that will bring life everlasting to sinners – John 11:25 (KJV) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Christ will sustain the life through Himself as His disciples abide in Him – John 15:1 (KJV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Biblical joy (chara) is defined as a thriving fellowship between God and man through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, emanating from the salvation of the soul and brings forth gladness, assurance, strength, happiness to the heart and to that life. This joy comes when the believer abides in Jesus Christ. The word “abide” means “join together” – 1 John 1:4 (KJV) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This is a spiritual union between Christ and His church through the obedience of Christ’s commandments that is taught in 1 John 1-5.

2 John shows the importance of keeping our house (or house church) closed to heretics; 3 John encourages hospitality to traveling preachers and missionaries. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening James, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude

The Epistle of James comes after the Epistle to the Hebrews in the English Bible that culminate the books written by the Apostle Paul to his own people, the Jewish converts suffering persecution that they remain steadfast in the faith – Hebrews 10:35-36 (KJV) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

James likewise writes to strengthen the faith of the Jewish converts scattered as a result of persecution – James 1:1 (KJV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Likewise in 1 Peter was addressed to Jews and Gentiles residing, rather scattered, in the countries listed with a majority Jews, for Peter was an Apostle to the Circumcision – 1 Peter 1:1 (KJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

Jude, the writer of the general epistle of Jude, also called Thaddeus (Matt. 10:3), was the brother of James (Jude 1), was a call to defend the church against false teachers (v2-4) pointing out their particular characteristics (v8-13) and God’s future judgment (v14-16). That the church may know how to deal with them (v17-23).

James began with the purpose of Christian testing and instructing  how a true Christian go through life’s trials victoriously? With joy (1:1-2), patience (1:3-4) and with prayer (1:5-8). How to live a victorious transformed life? The Christians in James’s time were facing severe social isolation and persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. He provided them practical advice what to do. True faith is practical, functional, solves life’s problems. Faith obeys the Word (1:19-27), does not discriminate (2:1-13), proven by works (2:13-18), bridles the tongue (3:1-12), is wise (3:13-18), is humble and submissive (4:1-17), the danger of wealth leading often to pride, injustice and selfishness (5:1-6). True faith triumphs when the Christian yields to God’s will, patiently awaiting Christ’s return, and praying for the afflicted and the erring brother. Our wisdom to God’s wisdom (5:7-20)! 

In 1 Peter, Peter strengthens the faith of believers under severe trial to persevere through patient and obedient faith (1:1-12) through hope of the coming heavenly inheritance. Holiness characterizes the Christian deportment and is strengthened through appropriating the Word of God (1:13-2:12). The believer is to submit to the government (2:13-17), in the workplace (2:18-25), wives to husbands in marriage (3:1-6), husband to honour the wife (3:7), be compassionate, be pitiful, love one to another, submitting to all (3:8-12) with Christ as our example (3:13-4:19). Pastors are to feed the flock and the saints to humble themselves (5:1-9). 

In 2 Peter, the aged Peter, exhorts the church to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing spiritual virtues with the Word of God undergirding them (1:1-21), the danger, destructive effects and description of false teachers (2:1-22), the longsuffering of the Lord in allowing time for the unsaved before He returns to consummate the world with its destruction (3:1-18) – 2 Peter 3:9-10 (KJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

May His church fervently occupy till He Comes. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

(1) Duties of Christian Fellowship

Believers should engage in frequent spiritual conversation for edification, according to the measure of their gifts.

Malachi 3:16 (KJV) Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Colossians 4:6 (KJV) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Ephesians 5:4 (KJV) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (KJV) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Hebrews 3:13 (KJV) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Jude 20 (KJV) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Acts 18:26 (KJV) And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Ordinarily, Eph. 4:29, 5:3-4; Heb. 3:13. Believers, in their ordinary daily discourse, ought to be continually mentioning the Lord in helpful, profitable conversation, and not waste their opportunities with foolish, light, frothy words that are out of place. 

[Extracted and edited from Duties of Christian Fellowship – A Manual for Church Members by John Owen]

(2) Prayer Meeting

Thank God for Wednesday night prayer time.  The church meets every Wednesday night 8pm for prayer at the Praise Chapel.

There will be exhortation from God’s Word. We are currently studying the Book of Isaiah.

Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Do make an appointment with the Lord for corporate prayer. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon

The two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus are commonly known as Pastoral Epistles because they were written to pastors Timothy and Titus about A.D. 62 and 2 Timothy in A.D. 67-68 during the Apostle Paul’s first and second imprisonment in Rome. Both men were trained by the Apostle Paul, called of God, for the work of the ministry.

The Apostle Paul recorded in 2 Timothy 1:5 as a tribute to faithful mothers. The genuine and sincere faith, literally means without hypocrisy, according to the scriptures, was taught by grandmother Lois and mother Eunice to Timothy. They were members of the church in Lystra where Lois and Eunice were saved was founded by the Apostle Paul during his first missionary journey.  

It is recorded by the Apostle Paul of Timothy’s childhood in 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 

The life of both Lois and Eunice was based on the Word of God and they passed the faith to their children and grandchildren. There is no better guide for the training of a child than holy scriptures itself. It is testified in this verse that it made Timothy wise unto salvation. 

Truly the teaching in Proverbs 22:6 “Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it,” holds true for Timothy who was to be used mightily by the apostle Paul to pastor the church at Ephesus.  It was during the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, Timothy became a part of the mission team together with Silas and Luke. Timothy was circumcised before they began the journey (Acts 16:1-3). 

It was during the Apostle Paul’s Second Missionary Journey, Timothy became a part of the mission team together with Silas and Luke. Timothy was circumcised before they began the journey – Acts 16:1-3 (KJV) Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Timothy was sent by the Apostle Paul to various churches when he could not be there personally to establish the believers in the church (1 Cor. 14:17, 16:10, Phil. 2:19-23, 1 Thess. 3:2,6). 

This was at the close of 2 Timothy: The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.

The two letters to Timothy and the one to Titus were to provide counsel to the pastors Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete to establish these church in the faith.

In 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, the Apostle Paul  exhorted Timothy concerning the admonition of false teachers that has disturbed the peace in the church (1 Tim. 1, 6), conduct of the church (1 Tim. 2, 5) without (toward civil authorities) and within (deportment of women folk, widows), honouring of pastors. The spiritual qualities for bishops and deacons forming the spiritual leadership of the church (1 Tim. 3). Personal conduct and spiritual progress of Timothy (1 Tim. 4, 2 Tim. 1). Establishing present generation of pastors and passing the torch in to the next generation of pastors (2 Tim. 2). Evil in the world and church growing worse and worse prior to Christ’s return and to be steadfast in the faith giving himself as the example (2 Tim. 3:11). Final charge in work of the ministry (2 Timothy 4).

In the epistle to Titus, the Apostle Paul exhorted Titus on the organising the church in spiritual leadership (Titus 1), conduct of members both aged and young preparing for the blessed hope of Christ return (Titus 2), conduct toward those within (errant members) and without the church  to obey civil authorities (Titus 3).

The book of Philemon was written by the Apostle Paul during his first imprisonment to Philemon who was master to the runaway slave Onesimus. Onesimus came to meet the Apostle Paul in the place of his house arrest in Rome and was soundly converted. He urged Philemon to receive Onesimus with brotherly love, not as a servant and promised to repay all the Onesimus owed to Philemon as his guarantor. This is so that this converted brother in Christ will be well received into fellowship in the church that was in the house of Philemon (Philem. 2).

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians & Philippians 

The Epistles of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians (AD 57), Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians (AD 62-63), were written within the period of the Book of Acts (AD 44-63). 

*Relation of the Epistles to the Acts
Within the Period of Acts		Beyond the Period of Acts
A.D. 44-63		A.D. 63-96
44-49 52-53 57 57 58 62-63 62-63 62-63 62-63	James 1-2 Thess. 1-2 Cor. Galatians Romans Ephesians Colossians Philemon Philippians	64-67 67-68 65-67 67 67-68 64-67 66-68 90-95 96-97	1 Peter Jude 1 Timothy Titus 2 Timothy Hebrews 2 Peter 1-2-3- John Revelation

*W. Graham Scroggie, The Unfolding Drama of Redemption, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1998), Act II, Scene II, 8,13.

Galatians was written during the Third Missionary Journey AD 58-61. Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians together with Philemon were written during the Apostle Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (AD 61-63).

In the Book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul warned the church against false teachers, Judaizers, who preached another gospel – Galatians 2:16 (KJV) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Purity of life was emphasized by the power ofthe Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:1 (KJV) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. … 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

In the Book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul identifies the origin of the church – chosen by the Father – a privileged people “called out” from sin Unto holiness, purchased by the son – a purchased people in intimate fellowship with God, sealed by the Holy Spirit – a protected people destined for heaven. (Eph. 1) The church is not dead as the world is but alive in Christ (2:1-10). The church progresses by bringing the lost to God (2:11-18) building up the saved in God (2:19-22). The function of the church is to unveil the unsearchable riches of Christ, by God’s Word (3:1-6) and by God’s servants (3:7-13). The fullness of the church begins with prayer which brings Holy Spirit’s power and begets praise (3:14-21). The calling of the Christian in purity, role of husband, wife, children, servant and master (4-6:1-9). The Armour of God for the Christian’s spiritual warfare (6:10-24).

In the Book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul exhorts the church to rejoice in the Lord, steadfastness in faith despite suffering (Phil. 1), serving in unity with the mind of Christ (Phil. 2), pressing on with the gospel work (Phil. 3) through prayer (Phil. 4:6-7), renewal of the mind (Phil. 4:8).

In the Book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul relates that the church was established by the truth of the gospel (1:1-5), by the grace of God (1:6), by the faithful ministry (Col. 1:8). The marks of a true church are – faith in Jesus Christ (Col. 1:4), the hope of heaven (1:5) and love in the spirit (Col. 1:8). Jesus bids us shine – glowing for Jesus and grounded in Him (Col. 1:9-23) and be partakers  Christ’s affliction – joy of the gospel work (1:23-29). In relationships (2:1-10), in church life (2:11-23) – consecrated and baptized (2:11-15), worldly influence creeping into the church (2:16-23). In affections – in Christ, off the world (3:1-4). In Purity – take time to be holy by put off the old man, put on the new man (3:5-17). In Family and Society – sacred role of wife (3:18), husbands (3:19), children (3:20), a father (3:21), servant (3:22-25), master (4:1). In missions – send the light! 3:2-18). Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The 7am Service

Thank God for blessed service on 7 March 2025. This is the 118^th service since the beginning of The 7am Service on 1 July 2024. A milestone for the completion of the Book of Joshua by Mr Lucas Lek. May the Lord enable His people to gather on this early morning hour.

Opening Hebrews

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written between 64-67 AD during a time of great persecution of the Jews. This letter was written to exhort the sorely persecuted believers to standfast to the keep faith.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (KJV) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Written by the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews (Heb. 13:6), it has a different approach to affirm that the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, in the fullness of time, is fulfilled in Jesus the Christ. The Deity of Christ is well proved that He is the exact representation of God, the Creator, Sustainer and only Saviour.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;  

Christ is superior even to angels, He is the very God and very man whom they can entrust for their present and future – Hebrews 1:4 (KJV) Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The exhortation to keep faith in Christ after He has so gloriously saved them by His atoning sacrifice as depicted in the Levitical system which they are familiar. Christ is indeed the Mediator of a better covenant (Heb. 8:6). Do not have a heart of unbelief (Heb. 4) but have faith (Heb. 11; 12:1-2).

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening 1 & 2 Corinthians

The church in Corinth was established during the Apostle Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey (AD 50-53) as recorded in Acts 18. The epistles to the Corinthians were written three years after the writing of 1 & 2 Thessalonians in AD 57.

From Athens Paul departed to Corinth (Acts 18:1) and came to know Aquila and Priscilla, who were also tent makers exiled from Rome. There he worked to support himself as a tentmaker and at the same time preached the gospel every Sabbath persuading the Jews and the Greeks (Acts 18:4).

Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue believed and all his house and many of the Corinthians and were baptised (Acts 18:8). The Lord Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision in Acts 18:9-10 “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.” Paul stayed for 1 ½ years there teaching the word of God.

The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to exhort the church in practical matters of church life after the church was established.

It is the preaching of the cross of Christ that saves souls. It is actualized by the power of the Holy Spirit that illuminates the heart to understand the truth of the gospel. Christ is the foundation by which our spiritual life must be built upon (1 Cor. 1-2) Any other foundation will not stand in the day of judgment (1 Cor. 3). Believers are to live in holiness for they are the temple of God (1 Cor. 4). The sin of fornication was particularly highlighted and that church discipline must duly be meted out that the church be kept pure (1 Cor. 5). Disputes within the church should be resolved within the church rather than seek worldly mediators (1 Cor. 6). Outworking of the marital covenant addressed (1 Cor. 7). The Christian’s liberty with a weaker brother (1 Cor. 8). The minister’s support and caution (1 Cor. 9). Overcoming temptation (1 Cor. 10). The woman’s adorning in the church and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11). Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12). Christian charity (1 Cor. 13). Order in the church through the preaching of God’s Word to build up the believers’ faith (1 Cor. 14). The rapture and the glorified body (1 Cor. 15). Concerning giving (1 Cor. 16).

In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul defended his apostleship, sharing of the believer’s hope and reward after a life of faithful service as ambassadors of Christ (1 Cor. 1-5). The entanglement with sin and idolatry threatens the well-being of God’s people, hence the Apostle Paul exhorts the church to separate themselves from uncleanness (2 Cor. 6-7). The doctrine of giving (2 Cor. 8-9). Victorious spiritual warfare and persecution (2 Cor. 10-11). God’s grace amidst weakness in service (2 Cor. 12). Defend the truth of the gospel (2 Cor. 13). Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Opening the New Testament Scriptures

In reading the New Testament Scriptures, the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) presented the life, ministry & teachings including His return, death & resurrection of Christ, with the Book of Acts recording the ascension of Christ and the beginning of the New Testament church at the sending of the Holy Spirit by God the Father to fill, guide and direct the church in her expansion beginning in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 1-2), with the preaching & ministry of the Apostle Peter (Acts 3-5) leading to the establishment of the church when souls were saved, the organisation and the persecution of the church leading to martyrdom of Stephen the deacon (Acts 6-7), the extension of the Church to Antioch in Syria with the conversion & call of the Apostle Paul (Acts 8-9) and the three missionary journeys (Acts 13-14, 15-18, 19-23) of the Apostle Paul to Asia Minor and then west to modern day Europe, his captivities and the 4^th missionary journey reaching Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire (Acts 24-28).

The Epistles provide the inner life of the church. Following the Acts of the Apostles, beginning with the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul doctrinally presented the working of the gospel in the salvation of souls (Romans 1-5), sanctification of the saints (Romans 5-8), the Second Coming of Christ in relation to Israel (Romans 9-11), consecration of the Christian and the working out of the Christian in his relation to society and in the church (Romans 12-16). 

The Books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, the first epistles written by the Apostle Paul during his second missionary journey focuses on holy Christian living in the light of Christ’s Second Coming (1 Thess. 1-3) with particular focus on holy Christian living in the light of the rapture which is the catching of the church to glory when Christ returns (1 Thess. 4-5; 2 Thess. 1), and glimpses of the Great Tribulation with the rise of the Antichrist desecrating the Tribulation Temple (2 Thess. 2), and the patient working and waiting of the saints for the Lord’s return (2 Thess. 3).

The Apostle Paul rejoices with the saints in Thessalonica recalling the establishment of the church, and the persecutions the missionary team and the church had to go through, commending them for their spiritual progress in faith and charity. The good report of Timotheus returning from the visit to the Thessalonian church prompted the Apostle Paul to write the first epistle and the tarrying of the Lord and the impatient waiting of the church for Christ’s return prompted the writing of the second epistle.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (KJV) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 

Most appropriate for the church today living in the light of Christ’s impending return. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Reading the New Testament

We began reading the New Testament Scripture from January – April 2025. Thus far, we have covered the 4 Gospels, the Books of Acts and Romans.

Let us remember three biblical pointers to aid our reading: (1) Pray (2) Patience (3) Perseverance.

(1) Pray

Let us begin each reading with prayer for the Holy Spirit to illumine our understanding that we may learn of Christ and glorify Him (John 15:26). 

(2) Patience

A word of encouragement from our Lord Jesus in the parable of the sower – Luke 8:15 (KJV) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

(3) Perseverance

The psalmist exemplified this spiritual trait of perseverance in keeping close to God in seeking God early and following hard after Him (Psalm 63:1-8).

The 7am Service

This is the critical 2^nd week as we endeavour to gather in this early morning hour. 

Pray the Lord strengthen and bless His people as we gather to worship Him every Tuesday and Friday.

Blessed Visitation Time 

A visitation was made to Mdm Lim Mei Chan to encourage her in the Lord on 15 February. Mdm Lim is the oldest member of the church at 97 years old. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

The 7am Service

Thank God for gathering His people to meet on this early morning hour on 4 and 7 February. We have begun the study of the Book of Philippians and the Book of Joshua respectively. The messages are recorded in Sermon Audio and YouTube.  

Pray the Lord strengthen and bless His people as we gather to worship Him every Tuesday and Friday in the early morning hour.

Family Devotion

Thank God for enabling families in the church to gather for family devotion the past week. We were studying Westminster Short Catechism Q27-32 on Christ, His Redemption and Application.

Recalling Q30, may the Lord grant His people the grace to understand the great privilege of being endowed with faith and rejoice in the mercy of God in salvation. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

11^th Anniversary Thanksgiving for BHBPC

Thank God for gathering His church at BHBPC to commemorate the 11^th Anniversary at our Thanksgiving Service for the Lord’s grace and goodness. The message was “Sing Aloud Unto God Our Strength” (Psalm 81:1a).

Come to God’s House to be with God’s people – In corporate worship – (v1-5). Come in thanksgiving out of a grateful heart – In Gratitude (v6-7). Come and walk again in His ways – Repentance (v8-16).

The choir sang Psalm 81 from the Geneva Psalter and the Scottish Psalter.

The 7am Service

The 7am Service will begin every Tuesday and Friday from February – April with 24 sessions.

The 7am Service will be held in the William Booth Chapel at level 2. 

Mr Lucas Lek will be sharing from the Books of Joshua and Judges (18 sessions) and Pastor Lek from the Book of Philippians (6 sessions). Do pray and gather for this early morning hour of spiritual blessing.

Family Devotions

Thank God for enabling the church to begin the new year with Family Devotions from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Thus far, we have covered (1) Man’s Chief End & The Scriptures – Jan 1-5 (Q1-3) (2) God, His Persons & Decrees – Jan 6-12 (Q4-8) (3) God, His Creation & Providence – Jan 13-19 (Q9-13) (4) Sin, Man’s Fall & Misery – Jan 20-26 (Q14-19) (5) Christ, His Election & Offices Jan 27 – Feb 2 (Q20-26).

This month, we shall continue with (6) Christ, His Redemption & Application – Feb 3-9 (Q27-32) (7) God, His Grace & Benefits – Feb 10-16 (Q33-38) (8) Man, His Duty & Obligation – Feb 17-23 (Q39-44) (9) The First & Second Commandment – Feb 24-Mar 2 (Q45-52).

May the Lord bless our Family Devotions. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Thanksgiving Unto the LORD

We remember the LORD’s guidance and goodness in the beginning of Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church (BHBPC) on 28 January 2014. 

Today, we thank God for His grace in sustaining the church as we commemorate the 11^th Anniversary.  

In December 2024, the church published the Westminster Annotations Volume 1 (Genesis – Esther), a companion volume with the King James Bible without chapters and verses published in 2023. 

The church has embarked on the spiritual endeavour to read the Old Testament Scriptures twice last year and this year to read the New Testament Scriptures twice from January to April. It has been challenging but most fulfilling as we spend time to read through the Bible.

Today, we distribute copies of the Westminster Annotations (Genesis – Esther) and the King James Bible without chapters and verses to loved one and friends who have yet to have a copy. 

Do pray as we endeavour to publish the Westminster Annotations Volume 2 (Job – Malachi) and Volume 3 (Matthew – Revelation) to complement our reading with explanations on difficult passages with useful Bible cross-references.

Before the publication of the King James Bible in 1611, the church was reading the Geneva Bible which has footnotes. But when the King James Bible was produced, there were no footnotes. The Dutch did their Annotations to complement the Dutch Bible. The English church soon followed. In 1645, the Westminster Annotations were published by the Westminster divines. It was meant to be a companion volume to the King James Bible.

However, the Westminster Annotations has not been printed since it was first published in 1645. With the Lord’s help, this has been made possible. It is our prayer that the Westminster Annotations can be made available to the Christian church at large.

Personally, I have been using the Westminster Annotations and it has been most rewarding. Clear explanations were given on difficult phrases in the Bible verses.

For example, in Deuteronomy 32:15 I looked up the meaning of the word “Jeshurun”. The Annotations gave this explanation:

“The word is derived of Jesher, signifying righteousness, or uprightness; by which is meant Israel, God’s peculiar people, Isaiah 44. 2. who should have been upright, righteous, just in obedience to the will and law of God, but was lawless and unruly, and like a fatted bullock, kicked against his feeder. The Original word Jeshurun is very rarely used, and it seems to be made by Moses by way of allusion to an ox, as in the manner of the figure called Paranomasia, as if he had said, Israel should be Jeshurun, but is, Scher. That is, an ox; or a bullock.”

Thank God for this helpful explanation. We encourage you to join us in Bible reading this New Year with the use of the Westminster Annotations as our guide. Amen.

(1) 1 January

Reading of the Old Testament Books twice was launched using the Bible without chapters and verses so that members and friends may develop the spiritual discipline of reading through the Bible. 

Daily Devotion from selected verses is published in the church website and app for the edification of members and friends.

(2) 3 January

Prayer Meeting resumes with exhortation from the Book of Isaiah “Exaltation of the Righteous (2)” (Isaiah 1421-22) which began on 14 September 2022. 

(3) 7 January

Commencement on the series of messages “Opening the Old Testament” on the Lord’s Day.

(4) 8 January

Adult Sunday Class continues on the Book of 1 Corinthians.

(5) 28 January

BHBPC’s 10^th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. The theme was “How Excellent Is Thy Lovingkindness, O God” (Psalm 36:7a). Ten years marked a key milestone for a new church. Retracing our steps helped us to rest more assuredly in the LORD’s leading moving forward. The 10^th Anniversary Photo Book was distributed.

(6) 4 February 

The 6^th Anniversary of the Mandarin Service with the message “How Excellent Is Thy Lovingkindness, O God” (Psalm 36:7a).

(7) 9 March

The 9^th Anniversary of YF/YAF was commemorated with “Children of Israel’s Faith” message taken from Hebrews 11:29.

(8) 24 March 

BHBPC’s 10^th Annual Congregational Meeting was held after worship service with an exhortation from Psalm 93:4 for God’s people to rest in the Lord in a tumultuous world.

(9) 29 March 

Good Friday Service was held at the Worship Centre. Message: Numbered with the Transgressors (Mark 15:22-39). 

(10) 31 March

Sunrise Service was held in the William Booth Chapel with the exhortation “He is Risen” (Mark 16:1-20). 

(11) 11-14 June 

Family Bible Camp was held at Andaz Singapore. The theme “The Day of Christ is at Hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:2) with study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

(12) 1 July 

Beginning of the 7am Service with 108 meetings from 1 July 2024 – 30 November 2024 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in William Booth Chapel from 7am-745am. 85 exhortations on Genesis – Deuteronomy by Mr Lucas Lek and 23 exhortations on Psalm 90 and the Gospel of John by Pastor Lek. The messages were also on “live” stream.

(13) 1 September 

Gospel Rally 2024 was held at the Mandarin Service and the English Service in the Worship Centre with the theme “What Shall I do to Inherit Eternal Life?” (Mark 10:17-27).  There were seven new visitors for the English Service.

(14) 4 September

Baptism of Mdm Tan Gim Tin at the Singapore General Hospital.

(15) 11 September

Homegoing of Nerizza Boon. Vigil Services were held on 12-15 September. Funeral and burial on 16 September.

(16) 15 September

Baptismal Service was held on the Lord’s Day. Darren Ng Wei Lun and Felicia Kew Kim Eng were baptised. Ho Kai Pin Jonah, Ho Kai Yi Joshua, Lee Wen Xuan, Janeen were reaffirmed in the faith. Chua Wei Ting, Ho Kai Wen Isaac and Ho Lai Fung joined the church through transfer of membership.

(17) 27 October

Commemoration of 16^th Century Protestant Reformation on Reformation Sunday, with a message entitled “The Reformation Wall” (Nehemiah 4:17-23; 5:15).

(18) 5 November

Homegoing of Mr Francis Chee Kam Heng. Vigil Services were held on 7 November. The funeral service and burial were on 8 November.

(19) 13 December

The Westminster Annotations Volume 1 (Genesis – Esther) was published and launched during the Old Paths Conference.

(20) 12-14 December

The Church’s 2^nd Old Paths Conference was held at the Sofitel Singapore City Centre.  Theme: “The Westminster Confession”.

(21) 24 December

Planner 2025 was delivered for distribution. 

Christmas Praise Service was held at the Worship Centre with the message “Where is the King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1-21).

(22) 27 December

Holy Matrimony of Darren Ng Wei Lun and Felicia Kew Kim Eng at the Worship Centre.

Homegoing of Marie Paula Bredemeyer. Vigil Service was held on 27 December. 

(23) 29 December

Mdm Foo Shook Mun joined the church in membership transfer during the Lord’s Day Service.

(24) 31 December

 Year End Service was held at the Worship Centre with a message entitled “Blessings of the God Fearer” (Proverbs 14:26-27). 

II. 11^th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service

God willing, we shall gather on 26 January for the 11^th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church at the Worship Centre. The theme is “Sing Aloud Unto God Our Strength” (Psalm 81:1a).  with exhortation taken from Psalm 81.

May the Lord be glorified as we gather in thanksgiving to sing praise unto God. Amen.

III. Visit to Mdm Lim Chor Kheng

Visitation was made on 9 January to the home of Mdm.  Lim Chor Kheng together with her sister-in-law Mrs June Leong. Mdm Lim is now on palliative care on tube-feeding in her home with her helper Almah and husband Mr Yew. Do remember her in your prayers.

Recall Weekly Newsletter on 5 March 2023: 

“Thank God for bringing Mdm. Lim Chor Kheng, her husband Mr Yew and her helper Almah to church in an ambulance on 26 February 2023 for our Mandarin Outreach Service. Thank God for the co-labouring of Mr and Mrs Leong to reach out to June’s brother Mr Yew and his wife Mdm. Lim.”

Mdm Lim Chor Kheng was baptised on 24 March 2022 when she received the Lord. 

IV. Visit to Mr Chang and Margie

Home dedication for Mr Chang and Margie in their new home on 10 January. Thank God for a blessed time of fellowship. 

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee

Mdm. Foo Shook Mun Joined the Church

Praise God for leading Mdm. Foo Shook Mun to worship in our Mandarin Outreach Service at 10 m on the Lord’s Day. She has decided to join the church in membership transfer on 29 December 2024 during our English Service at 3pm witnessed by her two sons. Mdm. Foo is a retired nurse. She has been worshipping with us regularly for the past 2 years. 

Testimony of Mdm. Foo Shook Mun

When I was in primary school, I studied at Nan Hua Primary School. I stayed at a long one-storey house where there are many rooms. I stayed in one of the rooms with my family.

I have a neighbour who works as a housemaid with long pig-tailed hair in a white blouse and black pants (妈姐) from Guangzhou who was a Christian. Quite amazing! She asked me to accompany her to Gan En Tang (感恩堂) Kum Yan Methodist Church in Queen Street for the Cantonese Service. I was then in Secondary School. Every Lord’s Day, on her off day, she would ask me to accompany her to church.

After my graduation, I became a nurse. I moved to an HDB flat. I was busy with work, I just joined the nursing profession, and there were many examinations to take. As my new home was far from the church and there was no one to accompany me, I did not go to church during that time.

Soon, my grandmother (奶奶), son and aunt (姑姑) came to Christ and were going to church. I occasionally would accompany them to Galilee Bible-Presbyterian Church. 

I started attending Huai En Tang (怀恩堂), Grace S.C.C. Church on Queen Street and was baptized there in 2010.

My husband was not well and I had to take care of him since 2021. I stopped going to church. 

Occasionally, I would attend Galilee Bible-Presbyterian Church with my aunt (姑姑)， son and my husband.

After my husband had gone home to be with the Lord, Mr Tan (Dr Tan Bien Keem) started to bring me to 福望堂 (Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church Mandarin Outreach) in the past 2 years. I have decided to join the church.

[Translated from oral testimony in Mandarin recorded on 20 October 2024 at 福望堂 (Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church Mandarin Outreach)]

Reading Through the Bible

Thank God for enabling the church to read through the Old Testament Scriptures twice last year. It was a most challenging and yet fulfilling spiritual endeavour. It requires much prayer, perseverance, persistence and prayer. Thank God for the testimonies of many summaries made on the books of the Old Testament by members and friends. Thank God for the sermon series “Opening the Old Testament” which covers the 39 books of the Old Testament during our Lord’s Day Service recorded in Sermon Audio and YouTube. 

We also have the additional aid of the Westminster Annotations Volume 1 (Genesis – Esther) with explanations and cross-references to facilitate our understanding of the Old Testament text.

Reading the New Testament

This year, we begin the reading of the New Testament Scriptures twice from January – April 2025. With the background of having read Old Testament Scriptures twice last year, we pray the Lord will open the New Testament Scriptures anew by the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

Pray the Lord to enable members and friends to take time to read and meditate on the New Testament Scriptures and to make summaries.

Family Devotion 2025

We shall begin in this new year of grace 2025 to study the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechism in our individual families and as collectively as a church, the congregation of families. I urge families to organize yourselves together to meet and study the Confessions together. 

“The Bible is the Word of God to man; the Creed is man’s answer to God. The Bible reveals the truth of the popular form of life and fact; the Creed states the truth in logical form of doctrine. The Bible is to be believed and obeyed; the Creed is to be professed and taught.” [The Creeds of Christendom by Philip Schaff]

The best creed or confession in the English language is the Westminster Confession. The Bible-Presbyterian Church adopts “The Westminster Confession” in the church’s constitution.

The record of the Assembly’s work is published in this volume – The Westminster Confession by the Banner of Truth Trust.

The documents largely include “The Westminster Confession”, The Larger Catechism, The Shorter Catechism, The Directory of the Public Worship of God, The Form of Presbyterial Church Government, and The Directory for Family Worship.

This record of the Confession is to the Christian Reader especially the heads of family. The heads of families rightly as taught in the Scriptures is the main catechisers to their respective families.

Their role to lead the family in the faith affirms the words of Moses to Israel before they entered the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 for the well-being of the families, the congregation of families that form the church or the various tribes, and the congregation of churches or tribes that form the nation.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (KJV) And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

It has first to be a religion of the heart and then it is possible to impart from heart to heart!

As we study the Confessions, we realize the problem in the churches today is that the role of the parents has been diminished as the chief influencers for their children’s spiritual education. This, I believe, has to be restored so that we shall not anymore experience the tragedies of the present generation of families, but there will be a renewal to strengthen the witness of the church in these last days for His glory.

As mentioned, we shall begin in this new year of grace 2025 to study the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechism in our individual families and as collectively as a church, the congregation of families.

A schedule has been drawn out to enable the church to complete the study of the Shorter and Larger Catechism this year.

The record of the Assembly’s work is published in this volume – The Westminster Confession by the Banner of Truth Trust. 

It has the Bible references to each of the answers to the questions in the 107 answers of the Shorter Catechism and 196 answers of the Larger Catechism listed, facilitating our ease of use.

We shall begin in this first session with the answers to first three questions of the Shorter Catechism.

You are encouraged to memorize the answers as collectively as a family and individually during the times of the week.

If writing down helps you to better remember, please do so, as we spare no effort to know the blessed will of God.

For example, the Shorter Catechism question 1. 

What is the chief end of man?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

There are two parts to this answer. The first “Man’s chief end is to glorify God”, and the second “and to enjoy Him forever.”

Two verses are given as proof texts in framing the thought “Man’s chief end is to glorify God” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Romans 11:36.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 11:36 (KJV) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Both verses from the Apostle Paul show us the sacred purpose of our existence on earth, directing us to glorify God in all that we think and do.

In other words, “our chiefest care and affection should mainly run upon the glory of God, and that God might be advanced and lifted up on high.” [Thomas Manton]

An introductory video entitled “Family Devotions 2025” has been recorded and made available on Sermon Audio – https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/142575651147

We are living in momentous times leading to Christ’s impending return when we can work no more. May the Lord equip His church to proclaim His Name so that souls may be won to His kingdom according to the goodwill of God for His glory. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee